Live from Iraq

Sergeant with Flathead tiesreports from the inside

When it comes to information about Iraq, Staff Sgt. Brian Rhodes, 32, gets his from ground zero.

"I'm the public information noncommissioned officer in charge," Rhodes said. "We're attached to the 1st Cavalry Division, the main division in Baghdad."

Rhodes, who lived in the Flathead Valley before enlisting, spoke by telephone Friday to the Inter Lake from Iraq. His mother, Terri Kissane, and stepfather, Patrick, live in Columbia Falls.

Deployed for the second time in September, Rhodes serves as the broadcast operations chief, dispatching journalists to accompany soldiers on missions to get the "good Army stories" from the ground.

"Military Army journalists are primary resources for the media," he said. "We go out there nearly every day."

Rhodes said his timing for arriving in Baghdad two months ago was impeccable when it comes to "the surge," a build-up of forces that began in January with offensive actions that started in June.

"Prior to when we arrived, things were really hot," he said.

The journalists who preceded his unit spent a lot more time following soldiers in the heat of battles as they routed out insurgents to tamp down the violence.

According to Rhodes, Baghdad has become a different place with people able to go into neighborhoods and markets in relative peace.

"Things are so much better than they were before," he said. "The push has done wonders."

Rhodes brings more than a fresh-off-the-plane optimism to his assessment. He first joined the Army in 1996, signing up for the infantry.

At the time, he said he had no plans to make the military his life. Rhodes said it was supposed to be his transition career.

"Even though I joined the infantry, I was lucky enough to be picked up by the 'Old Guard,'" he said.

The elite Old Guard serves as the ceremonial unit for the Army. Blessed with a deep resonant voice and impressive 6-foot-4-inch stature, Rhodes spent seven years as the presidential announcer and narrated many prestigious ceremonies.

He served as the emcee for the inauguration of President George W. Bush. Prior to that, he worked with former President Bill Clinton on numerous occasions.

Rhodes left the Army for a short time to become chief of protocol for the Army chief of staff. He soon signed up for the Army Reserve.

"I was bored," he said. "I missed the uniform."

Life got a lot more interesting almost immediately.

His unit deploy to Iraq from 2005 to 2006. Rhodes found himself in the middle of the action in the convention center in the International Zone, previously referred to as the green zone.

"The IZ was right in the bull's eye," he said. "The convention center is the equivalent to the U.S. Capitol building."

Rhodes served during the time that the Iraqi people were writing their constitution and forming their government. He was in charge of credentialing the western media, including "the Geraldos."

He also worked very closely with many Iraqi people during his first tour.

"They're great people, very warm, very family oriented," Rhodes said. "They have a great work ethic. They want the same things we do."

As soon as he returned from the tour with the Army Reserve, Rhodes re-enlisted in the active Army with the idea of staying in through retirement. Within six months, he was deployed from Fort Bragg to Iraq for a second tour.

Since returning, Rhodes says he tries to get out on missions every week. He travels to various provinces with generals as they assess the situation.

"When you're on the ground, talking to the commanders, you realize the true progress that's been made," he said. "The sheiks are getting together and talking to each other."

Rhodes said a lot of the fighting between religious sects is going away. He said the coalition is helping by building places for the Sunni, Shia and Kurds to gather.

Rhodes said these groups have figured out that fighting each other hasn't gotten them anywhere.

"They've lost so many family and friends," he said. "They've realized that the insurgents are just there to disrupt things. They switch from side to side."

Rhodes said that a lot of the media don't know what to do with this turnaround. He said that "gloom and doom" plays better on the evening news. Good news doesn't make news.

He agreed that the ups and downs of the last several years may play into a "wait and see" attitude about the surge among the media as well as the American people.

As far as troop withdrawals, Rhodes said the public should think in terms of drawing down the extra troops sent for the surge.

"Now, everything is fairly stable," he said. "We're going to want to maintain that."

He has another year in Iraq to follow the action. With more than 10 years left before retirement, Rhodes may see the final chapter written in the Iraq conflict.

"Eventually, it's up to the Iraqis," he said.

When he reaches retirement, Rhodes said he can't wait to return to the Flathead Valley to live with his wife, Maria, and two children.

"I plan to get a log cabin and 10 acres - if there's still 10 acres left," Rhodes said with a laugh.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.