By Mike Caputo
On this day, however, Balsam's hand was not raised in response to a teacher's question.
Instead, when the 18-year-old Lawrence native's hand shot up at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Balsam volunteered to join thousands of fellow American service members in Iraq.
"Why do you think I joined?" Balsam said with a grin. "I didn't join to sit at Camp Pendleton."
Now a 22-year-old Marine sergeant with two terms of deployment in Iraq under his belt, Balsam has returned home to Lawrence. Already, he is packing his bags once again, but for a much different destination than the one he prepared for about four years ago. By the end of August, Balsam will join a civilian community with a long-standing legacy deeply rooted in American history - Princeton University.
As a hard-working A-student throughout his high school years, Balsam always wanted to go to college. But after witnessing the events of September 11, 2001 unfold on television, he developed a strong desire to join the military. Soon after, Balsam sent in a postcard to inform the Marines of his interest, and in only a couple of years volunteered to serve in Iraq.
But first, Balsam was faced with a difficult decision during his senior year at Lawrence High School in 2003: Should he attend college first, or head right for the military?
Balsam chose the latter, and the current Ivy Leaguer does not hold any regrets about his decision.
"I wanted to serve my country," Balsam said. "I think 18 is a good age. When you get older, you have family and you have commitments."
Four days after Lawrence High School's 2003 commencement ceremony, Balsam reported to boot camp at Parris Island, S.C. As he sat at a table in his new home away from home, the Veterans of Foreign Wars-John J. Oliveri Post #1582 on Doughty Boulevard in Inwood, Balsam grinned as he jokingly described his boot camp experience as "three months of fun." Then with a serious tone, Balsam went on to explain how he really cherished the experience, which prepared and shaped the young sergeant for the military challenges ahead.
"You know that it's all for a purpose," Balsam said. "What you come out as is something that you really weren't when you came in."
After three months in South Carolina, the Marine headed to North Carolina for combat training. Balsam then began job training as a CBRN (Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear) defense specialist in Missouri. He was educated in the topic of weapons of mass destruction and how to defend against them. Balsam said in addition to classroom work, there was plenty of practical application, which he described as "pretty action-packed."
Although Balsam's job training was specific to his military vocation, he stressed the value of the military education he received in only a three-month span.
"Military schools are really a cut above," Balsam said. "They do so much in so little time."
Balsam said he believes the intense military education he received is comparable to an associate's degree at a civilian school. Balsam also appreciated the confidence shown by the Marine Corps to its younger members.
"They are teaching junior Marines very complex topics that may not be taught in other services until you are a mid-level officer," Balsam said.
In March 2004, Balsam joined the 1st Marine Division CBRN section and began preparation for deployment to Iraq. When August rolled around, Balsam arrived in Ramadi, Iraq, which at the time was a hot spot for enemy attacks. Balsam worked ins the 1st Marine Division Operations section, communicating with other units, tracking current operations, and helping plan future ones.
Balsam faced danger each day he was there.
"People were always trying to ruin our days by lobbing mortars and rockets at us," he said. "And our base was pretty small, with not so much open space, so there were many close calls. Fortunately, the insurgents' aim being what it was, we were usually all right."
But while working in a war zone, the young Marine explained how fear would rarely enter his mind as he performed his duties.
"You do your job, you do your job, you do your job and you get in a rhythm," Balsam said. "You stop being concerned about bad things happening, except when you have a close call and you think, 'That could have been me.'"
Since work shifts typically lasted for 12 hours, Balsam spent limited down time on sleeping, working out in the gym, eating at the "chow hall" or communicating through letters with loved ones in America.
Balsam emphasized the big-picture work performed within the Operations section, which, as he explained, immersed young corporals and junior Marines in a higher level operational perspective.
"We were looking at the whole Anbar province, the North-Carolina-sized desert west of Baghdad, not just smaller areas of operation." Balsam greatly appreciated the officer leadership on the staff of the 1st Marine Division. He recalled Captain Sean Brock (who was killed in action), and Major Kevin Moody as some of the best officers he's ever served with.
After spending eight months in Ramadi, Balsam went back to Camp Pendleton, and continued to serve with the 1st Marine Division CBRN section.
He recollected fond memories of his time with the CBRN section.
"The unit had great leaders and was extremely well-run," Balsam said. "Everybody was doing the right thing. It was a joy being there."
While in Camp Pendleton, Balsam attended a number of military schools, and took leave to visit New York. And when his unit geared up for another Iraq rotation, Balsam volunteered once again. He thrived on the hard work and service he provided in Iraq and did not want to "mark time" at Camp Pendleton in California.
"There was no pushing me to go back," Balsam said. "My unit had enough people that I wouldn't have had to. But being in the rear, I felt that I was wasting my time."
In January 2006, Balsam was sent to Fallujah, Iraq, this time with the Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) Operations section. This particular area of the highly active war zone was quieter by the time he arrived. At Fallujah, Corporal Balsam was promoted to the rank of sergeant. After a year tour, Balsam returned to America in January 2007.
Now, as Balsam pursues a degree in political science, he still keeps the military in mind as a future career path. He is also considering law. Balsam plans on participating in the Marine Corps Reserves while at Princeton.
With a bright future ahead of him, Balsam is enjoying his time back in Lawrence and spending time with his parents, Dvorah and Joel Balsam, five siblings, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also proud to be active in the Inwood VFW, spending time with older veterans.
"It's nice to know that little changes," Balsam said. "Even as wars are being fought and battles won, things stay pretty much the same on the home front."
Comments about this story? MCaputo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 210.
