Risk Management Magazine

In March 2003, my unit began its mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. We fought continuously, ending up at Saddam Hussein’s palace in Baghdad. We spent a few months in Baghdad when my unit received orders to deploy to Fallujah. This is where my story gets crazy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the chance of a person being struck by lightning is less than one in a million. I’ve been struck twice — and I don’t feel very lucky.

When I deployed to Iraq as a cannon crewmember with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), each Soldier in my unit was supplied with two pairs of goggles. One pair provided protection during air assault missions, while the other offered ballistic protection. Even though the unit leaders instructed us to wear our goggles, it was not strictly enforced. Therefore, some Soldiers placed their goggles on their helmet. As a result, several Soldiers suffered eye injuries, with a few even losing their eyesight.