An Iowa soldier heading back to active duty in Iraq says he’s learned some habits while on active duty with Operation Enduring Freedom. Steve Jordal is a 19-year-old Iowan serving with the 101st Airborne Air Assault. He says back home in Iowa City, he noticed one day he was relaxing at a pizza restaurant without his usual military vigilance. He had his back to the door, whereas in the combat zone he’s always got his back in a corner scanning the doorway for enemies — and while it felt good to realize he was safe at home, he’ll be back on duty and have to pick up those habits again. Jordal says all young men may dream of tearing around in a humvee, but he’s been doing it and it’s lost much of its charm. Jordal says it’s not something to look forward to any more, since driving the hummer’s “not that big of a deal” and roads are a dangerous place in Iraq with mines and ambushes making it risky to travel to a destination by land. Jordal’s heading back today from his two-week-long Thanksgiving leave home in Forest City.
