Remember me. Photo By Staff Sgt. Franklin Harris U. Marine Corps Sgt. Harris Jr. Staff Sgt. Franklin E. He was my role model. He deployed twice to Japan as a part of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, both tours lasted six months.
A little while after returning home from his second deployment, an opportunity for a North Atlantic Treaty Organization deployment to Bosnia and Herzegovina presented itself. Paz did not know much about NATO, but he did remember advice from one of his peers. Their primary mission is to facilitate reform in defense and security structures of BiH, which includes coordinating NATO programs and activities.
Paz decided to volunteer for the deployment and was selected. His job was to serve as a clerk and driver for Gen. Paz provided security for the commander on and off-base. The relationship between the two gave them time to bond.
Paz provided security for every trip and sometimes attended meetings and dinners hosted throughout the country. While in the area they stopped at a local olive grove, where Paz met the owner and tried fresh olive oil.
It was good, it was really good olive oil. Now, I know how olive oil is supposed to be when I get home. He found he enjoyed the country, the culture and his job. Paz started to build a relationship with other local drivers in the country. These drivers served a variety of military and political figures and shared their stories with him. Paz realized that becoming a permanent driver back in the United States could be a career path for him, and he got a lot of experience in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
