Six years ago Will Tillman, who graduated from Bluestem High School in 1997, wanted a change of pace in his life.
“I was tired of working construction,” he said.
That desire prompted him to look into the Army.
Sgt. Tillman, 23 at the time, did join the Army, and is now on his third tour in Iraq.
Tillman had some time to visit home this past week, staying at his sister’s house in El Dorado with his wife, Toshia, and their daughter, Makhaila, 4.
Tillman was home on 15 days leave, arriving about one week ago. He is currently about three months into his latest one-year deployment.
With the Christmas tree still up waiting to celebrate Christmas with Tillman and his daughter’s birthday last week, the family had a lot to celebrate.
But most of all, Tillman was simply taking it easy and enjoying the time with his family.
“It’s hard to be away from the family,” he said, adding that as his daughter gets older it continues to get harder.
Despite missing his family, Tillman strongly believes in what he is doing.
His unit is working to train Iraqi security forces, helping them get ready to take over security in Iraq.
Tillman has seen a lot of change in Iraq over the years. He was first deployed there from 2004 to 2005, then again in 2006-2007.
“Things have definitely gotten a lot better over there since my first deployment,” he said.
“It makes you appreciate what you’ve got because you don’t have the simple things in life (while deployed),” he said.
One thing is for sure; Tillman doesn’t regret his decision to join the Army.
“I love the Army,” he said.
Originally, he had joined the Army Reserves, but after his first deployment he decided to go active duty.
He said it “suited him.”
Tillman plans on having a career in the Army.
Right now he is just focusing on doing whatever he is asked in the Army.
“Most of my goals center around staying in the Army as long as I can and influencing as many younger soldiers as I can,” he said.
He believes in the Army so strongly, he said he would tell anyone else considering signing up to do so in a heartbeat.
“The Army is a good structural environment,” Tillman said. “You always have a roof over your head and three meals a day.”
While his family, which doesn’t have a strong military history, wasn’t too happy about his decision to enlist at first, they do support him.
“They are pretty proud of me,” he said.
He is currently stationed with the 2 Brigade/10th Mountain Division in Fort Drum, NY, where he has been for five years.
In addition to his sister in El Dorado, he also has a brother in Leon.
