"Everyone had stayed the same... but I'd grown up and changed." (Video Interview, 34:35)

Gregory James Schulte

Gregory Schulte [2004] War: Afghanistan and Iraq Wars, 2001-present Branch: Army Unit: 235th Engineer Team, 4th Infantry Division Service Location: Tikrit, Iraq; Kuwait Rank: Specialist Place of Birth: St. Louis, MO

Deployed to Iraq at the age of 18, Specialist Greg Schulte was the youngest soldier in his National Guard unit. During his service in Tikrit, he witnessed both the extreme violence that characterizes life in a combat zone as well as many positive changes brought about by the U.S. military presence in Iraq. He left the Middle East with a renewed dedication to the military; at the same time, after enduring such a life-changing experience, he felt a sense of distance from his old friends and family.