Eric Schuck, economics professor at Linfield College, will share his 11-month experience as a naval reservist in Kuwait on Monday, Dec. 5, at 3 p.m. in Jonasson Hall in the lower level of Melrose Hall at Linfield College.
In his lecture, “Reflectively Belted: A Year (Well) Behind the Lines of OIF/OND,” Schuck will address his experiences as a participant of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation New Dawn (OID). OIF was the invasion and occupation of Iraq which began in March 2003 and ended in August 2010. OND is the phased withdrawal of United States forces from Iraq. Schuck, the logistics department head for Commander Task Group 56.5, was present while forces were both being sent into Iraq, as well as when they were starting to pull out.
Schuck will discuss trading academic robes for combat boots, life on imminent danger pay, traveling the gulf as a military tourist and his homecoming and reintegration.
Schuck’s main role was as head of the Logistics Department, where he led a diverse task department consisting of the Supply Engineering and Boat Maintenance shops. Schuck also served as a force security watch officer, providing security coverage for vessels entering and exiting ports.
“We were responsible for the movement, sustainment and support of over 300 USN and USCG personnel in four different countries as well as the maintenance and support of over 20 USN and USCG patrol boats in two separate countries,” Schuck said.
Schuck received his B.A. in economics from Pacific Lutheran University, his M.A. from the University of Montana and his Ph.D. in agricultural and resource economics from Washington State University. His academic interests include natural resource, environmental and agricultural economics with an emphasis on water use during droughts and controlling agricultural runoff.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Michele Tomseth at mtomseth@linfield.edu or 503-883-2434.
