European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 20, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse 21st replacement in staff wait at the front door for arriving to Llera. Welcome to Europe the 21 St replacement in is a temporary Home to thousands of incoming troops each year. Here s one private s Story Nice hat sol Lerl fresh off the plane a formation la brought to attention by Chi. Oscar Howell who will March them to the processing Center. By Kevin Robinson staff writer pvt. 2 Roger Loyed had assignment orders in hand telling him to report to the 21st replacement in. But As his flight touched Down at 6.20 . On the Rhein main runway he knew no More about where he would end up in Germany than he did when the chartered flight left St. Louis the Day before. The barrel chested former College football player who describes himself As Quot Brand spanking new Quot to the was anxious to find out where he would be stationed in Germany it is his first duty assignment after 10 weeks of advanced training As a combat medic at fort Sam Houston Texas. His search like those of thousands of other soldiers coming to Europe this year would begin at the s 21st replacement in. Loyed is one 39,808 soldiers tins year a those introduction into units in Europe began with greetings from a member of the 21st replacement in when his military Airlift come flight arrived Loyed and 54 others below the rank of sergeant were met by Chi. Oscar Howell who marched the group from the flight line to the 21st replacement in. Howell the battalion s unofficial Quot Drill sergeant Quot would function As their primary source of information until they left the battalion. While those with specific assignments a officers sergeants and above and soldiers with family members a went to claim their baggage Loyeda a group was thinking about searching for something More significant than Duffel bags and suitcases. Within seven hours Loyed a through the assistance of the soldiers at the 21st a would get his bearings and a duty station. Quot i have a feeling they will Send me to an infantry unit because i like being in the Field Quot said the 23-year-old Loyed in a Southern drawl. Quot i done to want to be stationed in a Loyed said he joined the for Quot adventure and College he attended Livingstone University in Livingstone ala., for a year and played offensive tackle on the football team. As an Quot outdoors Type person Quot who loves Hunting and fishing the native of Orlando fla., said he also aspires to become a nurse. By 6 45 ., Loyed was listening to spec. Paula Dunnagan. The administration specialist assigned to the 21st, formally welcomed the group to Germany. For the next few minutes she guided them through the paperwork phase of i processing that included a a message informing their families in the United states that they had arrived safely. A a form detailing each Soldier s military background. A verifying orders. Soldiers assigned to the 5th signal come Are separated the signal unit has a detachment at the 21st replacement that i processes these soldiers. A a reminder that incoming soldiers must stay in uniform at All times. A a Reading of do s and Don to a including no obscene language no sexual harassment and no physical abuse. After the initial processing Loyed was marched Back to the terminal to claim his Luggage then had breakfast at the battalion dining facility before returning to finish the processing. But the breakfast and the mounting paperwork could t keep Loyed from wondering where head end up. Quot All you know coming Over Here is the 21st replacement Quot he said fighting the fatigue from his overnight flight. Quot i want to get out and meet some people. I want to learn the Loyed said what Little he knows about Germany comes from a Friend who lived there for seven years As a military family member. While Loyed ate Dunnagan searched a computer file for an assignment for him. By inputting his social Security number she matched him with a unit needing a combat medic. The system called a fill plan lists each major command and what it requires in terms of soldiers and their Job skills. By 10 ., Dunnagin found Loyed an assignment with the 32nd air defense come. But that did no to Tell Loyed much because the 32nd has units scattered All Over Germany. Dunnagan sent Loyed and seven others slotted for the 32nd upstairs to see spec. Timothy Mcgreal the battalion assignment representative. Mcgreal found Loyed a pinpoint assignment in Kaiserslautern with he Btry 1/7th air defense arty at 11 ., Loyed ate lunch and at 1 p.m., boarded the bus bound for Kaiserslautern. Capt. Douglas Beaty in charge of the 21 St s replacement operations told Loyed that Kaiserslautern has one of the largest populations of americans living outside of the United states. He also told Loyed that the German City has its share of american fast food restaurants. By the time Loyed reaches Kaiserslautern people from his unit will be there to Welcome him Beaty said. A to excited Quot Loyed said after locating his new Home on the map. Quot the suspense of not knowing where you Are going. That s what kills you. I think i la feel at Home there because i understand there Are a lot of americans there and besides i hear they have a pvt. 2 Roger Loyed ponders yet another form. Loyed tries his first breakfast in Europe. A amps photos by Dave Didio spec. Paula Dunnagan goes Over Loyeda a paperwork. Dunnagan finds Loyed a assignment on the computer. Loyed top left and other new arrivals Are Given their assignments by spec. Timothy Mcreal. Capt. Douglas Beaty shows Loyed the Way to his next Home Kaiserslautern Germany. Page 14 the stars and stripes wednesday May 20, 1992 the stars and stripes Page 15
