Combat-Tested Infantryman Maintains Positive Outlook

By 2nd Lt. Jack Pinney

Co. A, 2nd Bn., 30th Inf. Regt., 4th BCT, 10th Mtn. Div. (L), MND-B

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq - Through two deployments and multiple enemy engagements, one infantryman has maintained his positive outlook as one of the longest tenured 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Soldiers.

Spc. Kevin Randall, a team leader from Oklahoma City, assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry has seen his share of Fort Polk, La., and the Middle East since the birth of the Patriot brigade in 2004. During his time as a 2nd Bn., 30th Inf. Regt. "Wild Boar" Soldier, he has participated in numerous Joint Readiness Training Center rotations and deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Though he has been involved in multiple enemy engagements, including small-arms fire, improvised-explosive device attacks and explosively formed penetrator attacks, Randall has maintained a cheery disposition and constant positive outlook in every situation. His platoon has a running joke about the fear of riding with him, Soldiers would never suspect his many enemy encounters through his chipper attitude and unwavering smile.

Spc. Kevin Randall mentors an Iraqi Police officer as they search a vehicle at a checkpoint in the New Baghdad district of eastern Baghdad. Randall is an Oklahoma City native assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad.(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Paul Lopez, 4th BCT, 10th Mtn. Div., MND-B)

Randall's attitude extends beyond staying cheerful. The Oklahoma City native has gained the respect of not only the members in his own platoon, but also with Soldiers throughout the entire company.

"He's an outstanding worker" and "one of the hardest working Soldiers in the company." Said Staff Sgt. David Rocheleau, of Monroe, Mich.

Even though Rocheleau has never been in the same platoon as Randall, he said he knows him well through Randall's charming reputation.

"In the worst situations he is always smiling," said Rocheleau.

Throughout the more than four years he has spent in Co. A, Randall has remained a source of light heartedness within his platoon. His squad leader, Staff Sgt. Justin Miller from London, Ky., expressed bafflement about Randall remaining upbeat in light of the amount of adversity he has faced.
"He's stop-lossed (involuntarily extended past his expiration of term of service)," said Miller, adding that even though Randall has faced numerous dangerous situations throughout his deployment time: "He's still smiling."

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