A group of Ball State University students have put school on hold while they are in Fort Stewart, Ga. training with more than 3,000 soldiers.
The students are members of the 76th Infantry Brigade of the National Guard, which, according to the Indiana National Guard's Web site, will be deployed to Iraq in early March. It is the largest National Guard brigade to be sent into combat since World War II, according to the Web site.
Margarita Bilbrey, a Ball State photojournalism major, said she has experience both being deployed and having someone close to her sent into combat. Bilbrey is a veteran who served five years with the brigade, she said.
Bilbrey said Larry Bilbrey, her husband of 16 years, is being deployed to Iraq with the brigade. He is squad leader of the 1st platoon and assistant platoon sergeant to the whole platoon.
Bilbrey said many army spouses have done well while their loved ones were overseas.
"Some of them aren't sure because they don't know what their spouse is getting into," she said. "Some of them are more worried because all they have is information from the news and a lot of media and commercialism of the military image, whereas I don't have that. I've been there, done that, so I never have those issues. He can talk more openly about situations because he doesn't have to explain things to me."
Bilbrey said soldiers have access to the Morale Welfare Recreation, which allows them to use computers. The military also has a Web site for Army Knowledge Online, which allows soldiers to access instant message programs and send video mail. Soldiers can also receive cards to make phone calls.
Bilbrey said she trained many of the soldiers who are in her husband's company.
"I was their [non-commissioned officer], so now they're just getting a taste of my husband now instead of me," she said.
Private First Class Ed Dowden, a former Ball State telecommunications major from Carmel, said he joined the National Guard this summer and signed up for deployment. After he joined, Dowden said, he transferred to Ivy Tech where he majors in business.
Dowden said the news of his deployment came in early December, and he expected it because he volunteered.
"[My family was] all pretty supportive," he said. "They weren't exactly as supportive about me volunteering for deployment, but everybody was OK with me joining the military."
Dowden said he doesn't have any major plans for when he returns home in about a year.
"I haven't really thought that far ahead," he said. "I'm more focused on going over there and getting done what I need to get done and coming back."
Dowden said he hopes people back home remember and support the soldiers.
"Everybody here appreciates everybody's support back home," he said. "And don't forget about us when we're overseas."
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