GC&SU familiar face to make his way to war in Iraq

Paul Bollinger is not your average Chick-fil-A supervisor.

While students see him everyday, they may not know that he’s traveled around the world with his military parents and that he is a substance abuse counselor in a Milledgeville prison. He also holds a degree in Political Science and now, after only a few months at Georgia College & State University’s Chick-fil-A, he’s going to war in Iraq.

“I knew since I was a kid I would probably find myself in the military in one way or another,” Bollinger said. “I went to college for three years as a music major and theatre minor. My grades started to slip because I enjoyed going out a little too often and one day my dad called and asked if I wanted to audition for the Marine band. I didn’t know there was a Marine band, but I said, ‘Sure why not?’”

Bollinger then went on active duty, barely missing the first Gulf War.

“Based on the way they were talking about Iraq and their performance in the Iran-Iraq war, we all figured it would be a protracted war, so I figured I would get over there,” he said.

But that didn’t happen, and even after several attempts at finding combat, Bollinger came up empty handed.

“They spend all this money on training you to be the best at the job you’re performing and it’s like going to college for whatever degree you’re persuing, but not getting to utilize that training. In the military, it’s not that I want to go to war and kill somebody, because death is always a tragic thing, but you want to be sure that you’ve learned your training,” he said.

Bollinger got his chance, though, when about two months ago, he caught word of his orders.

“I expected to go to war one day, but I didn’t expect it to take 14 years,” he said. “A couple of months ago while I was at Fort Benning, some of the captains in my unit said we were going to be in the slot for the next rotation and now we’re going.”

Bollinger said he’d probably be at Ft. Stewart for training until April 2005 and from there he’ll go to Iraq.

“I expect to be doing basic patrolling, either foot or vehicle patrols in Baghdad or the Iraq area. I also expect to do some convoy operations,” he said. “I look forward to getting the experience, hopefully getting first hand knowledge of the Arabic language and basically working on the Iraqi’s ability to get a democracy going in their country.”

Even given the recently increased tensions in Iraq, Bollinger said as a platoon leader, he’s most afraid of disappointing his men, but he knows he’s entering a dangerous situation.

“Of course I’m afraid of dying,” he said, “but I don’t want to say I’m afraid because it’s such a strong word. I’m apprehensive because of the unknown. So anyone who says they’re not a little apprehensive or scared should probably be checked out.”

Bollinger will leave behind his parents in Warner Robins, a sister in Maryland and a GC&SU Chick-fil-A family that will be awaiting his return.

Mike Haun, Bollinger’s roommate and Chick-fil-a coworker, said he’s really been thinking about Paul’s departure.

“I’m going to miss Paul. I’ve learned from him. He’s a coworker, he’s a friend, he’s an asset, and he’s not going to be easily replaced,” Haun said.

“I think, just as any guest of this university should be, he’s an example to college students to show what you can do with your life,” he said.

Bollinger says the support he’s received at GC&SU has been overwhelmingly positive.

“The support that I’ve gotten from the faculty, staff and students, regardless of who they voted for or their belief in the war, over all everyone’s been wishing me good luck, to stay safe, and come back to us,” he said.

Bollinger’s orders are for between a year and a half to two years. After his service, he’s keeping his options open, including spending a year in Russia or maybe even coming back to Milledgeville and opening his own bar and grill.

“Whether someone is for or against the war, keep in mind that there are individuals going over there who need our support,” Bollinger said. “I don’t think war is a great thing, but they’re just doing their job.”

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Dec 3 2004. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry