SERGEANT IN CAMP BUTMIR Paz: NATO's mission is to protect security and freedom

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - US Marine Corps Sergeant Angel Paz joined the army on July 6, 2015, motivated by the graduation ceremony of his uncle's basic training which he attended.

"From that moment on, I was firmly committed to enlisting. At first glance, it was clear that he was a completely different person at that ceremony, that day. He was always a good man, but now he was even better, he was my role model," Paz said.

Paz's military career began with a 59-day course at the Infantry Training Battalion before being stationed at Camp Pendleton in California with 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment; he was deployed to Japan twice as part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, both rotations lasting six months. Shortly after returning home from his second deployment, an opportunity arose to deploy as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Paz didn't know much about NATO, but he remembered the advice of one of his non-commissioned officers.

"Someone said, if you're ever offered a mission with NATO, take it. He didn't say much more than that; he just wanted me to know that I would like it," Paz continues his story.

NATO's mission is to protect the freedom and security of all its members. Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace program and has a NATO Headquarters Sarajevo (NHQSa) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, stationed at Camp Butmir. NHQSa's primary mission is to assist in the reform of BiH's defense and security structures, which includes coordinating NATO programs and activities.

The deployment request for which Paz was selected was for an individual augmentee position. Paz soon realized he would be deployed alone. This was a different situation from Paz's previous two deployments. He had previously been deployed as a rifleman and a squad leader, but he was always deployed with other Marines. Paz decided to volunteer for the mission and was selected. His job was to serve as the official driver for US Army Brigadier General Eric Folkestad, commander of NHQSa. Paz provided security for the commander both on and off base. To perform this task as efficiently as possible, he attended an anti-terrorism evasive driving course at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, USA.

"It's a week-and-a-half-long course. They teach you evasion maneuvers in case you encounter any threat during a mission and give you a brief explanation of how it would work on a larger scale with a larger team," Paz adds. Sergeant Paz had a primary partner, Vega, who was responsible for planning the commander's movements as his personal security (PS). The relationship between the driver and the PS is important, and after a year of working together, there is a bond between them that many notice.

"We are like brothers. From day one, I made suggestions on what we could do better, and he would listen to me. We have a lot in common, and many people think we look alike, especially when we wear masks," Paz adds.

Paz arrived at Camp Butmir on February 6, 2021, during the coronavirus pandemic, which did not stop the mission. He drove the commander to various cities across BiH: Breza, Prnjavor, Banja Luka, Mostar, Tuzla, Zenica. Each trip was aimed at supporting the commander's engagement with ambassadors, members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and leadership; such engagement led to improvements in training, structural reforms, and military enhancements, such as the donation of four Bell UH-1 "Huey" helicopters to the Air Force and Air Defense Brigade in Rajlovac.

On all his trips as the commander's driver, Paz saw religious institutions, historical monuments, and enjoyed the view of cities like Sarajevo while standing on the slopes of Trebević. He also had the opportunity to try local food like ćevapi in Doboj. Paz provided security for every trip, and sometimes attended meetings and dinners organized throughout the country. On one occasion, Josip Brkić, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH, invited the commander of NHQSa and his staff to Međugorje, BiH. While in the area, they stopped at a local olive grove, where Paz met the owner and tasted fresh olive oil.

"He said [olive oil] should have a nice acidity and a sting in the back of your throat, then it's good olive oil. He had a bowl of olive oil on the table with bread and cheese, and we ate that. It was good, it was really good olive oil. Now I know what olive oil should be like," Paz recounts.

Early on, Paz requested an extension of his deployment; six months in BiH turned into a year, and he continued to work as the commander's driver. He realized he enjoyed the country, the culture, and his job. Paz began building relationships with other local drivers in the country. These drivers worked for various military and political officials and shared their stories with him. Paz realized that a permanent job as a driver in the United States could be a career opportunity, and he had gained a lot of experience in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Every rotation has its end. Paz began compiling lists of options and packing his belongings as his stay in BiH was coming to an end. Among his last tasks before leaving was providing security and support for the handover of duties between US Army Brigadier General Eric Folkestad and US Army Brigadier General Pamela McGaha, the new commander of NHQSa. Another US Marine will replace him when he leaves Camp Butmir, but his service and support for an international organization will always be part of his career. Such an experience confirms the advice he received about NATO.

"If you look at the statistics here, there's only one Marine in this camp, compared to a larger number of Air Force and Army personnel," Paz explains. "So, if you plan to stay in the service and tell someone, 'Oh, yes, I was on a NATO mission,' it has special significance. Few people get a NATO mission," Paz concludes.