After Iraq deployment, focus is on family again
War assignments redefine perspectives for military couple

BY RON JACKSON

Published: October 7, 2008

FORT SILL — A lot has changed for Sgt. 1st Class Kenric Brooks and his wife, Staff Sgt. Eleanor Brooks, during their 15-month deployment together in Iraq. Most of that change occurred in the mind, where a war front redefined their perspective on their military careers, each other, and family.

All trails lead back to the love of their two boys in Georgia: Joshua, 9, and Kenric Jr., 6. The family will reunite in November.

"I can’t wait to see the boys,” Kenric Brooks said after the arrival of the 168th Brigade Support Battalion’s remaining troops Monday at the Goldner Physical Fitness Center. Kenric and Eleanor Brooks landed Saturday in Comanche County aboard separate flights, ending a journey that began in summer 2007.

"I’ve missed them,” Brooks, 31, said of his boys. "My whole point in life has been to take care of them, and even though I’ve been gone, that’s what I’ve been doing.”

For Eleanor Brooks, her time in Baghdad only intensified her love for family. She and Kenric have already filed transfer requests to Fort Gordon in Augusta, Ga.

"If I were faced with orders to deploy again, I’ve already decided it would be time to call it quits and remain with the boys,” said Eleanor Brooks, 30, who has logged 11 years service in the U.S. Army.

During the past 34 months, Eleanor Brooks has served two tours and 27 months in a war zone.

Kenric Brooks wrote a book during his deployment, inspired by the challenges of team-building while experiencing war-time pressures.

He served in many different capacities but said none was more rewarding than as an adviser to the Iraqi army during the final four months in Baghdad.

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