After two tours in war-torn Iraq mostly driving a Bradley armored vehicle, Staff Sgt. Chris Hickman had a decision to make in 2006.

Should he become a lifer and make the military a career, or come home to Douglas after seven years in the Army?

"I decided at that time I was done … and I've never regretted it," Hickman said. "Things have been going really well since I got back. I have had new experiences in my life, and it's something that's changed my life forever."

Adjusting to civilian life hasn't been too hard for the 27-year-old soldier, he said. Hickman, now an equipment operator for Antelope Coal Mine, said he has benefited from his Iraq experience in numerous, positive ways.

"I know that I've matured a lot from my time overseas … I've grown a lot and learned a lot from just being over there," he said.

"I can say I've seen more of the world now and I've got more of a bigger picture now," Hickman said. "I've got that larger perspective I'll carry with me from now on."

Born in Riverton and raised in Douglas, Hickman graduated from Douglas High School and joined the Army soon after in 1999.

He was stationed in Germany for two years before transferring to Fort Carson, Colo., to join the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment.

Hickman was deployed to Iraq in 2002 for his first combat tour. He drove a Bradley armored vehicle in the unit, which served in Baghdad, Fallujah and Ramadiyah, among other sites.

Returning to Fort Carson for a year of school training, Hickman deployed back to Iraq for a second 12-month tour in March 2005. His unit was assigned to Tall'Afar, scene of some of the heaviest fighting.

"The first time I was there, we didn't hardly see any action at all and we were hardly ever shot at … but on that second tour, things had changed a lot from that first tour in that short year we were back," he said.

"There were times on that second tour when we received enemy contact for three months straight … we were basically fighting every day," Hickman said.

Back in Fort Carson in the spring of 2006, Hickman decided to leave the Army when his enlistment ended in June. With the help of military officials, he was able to line up a job in Wyoming before leaving the service.

"I knew back home there were a lot of coal mining jobs opening up, so while I was still in (the Army) I put in a couple of resumes at some coal mines, and the Army actually let me take off for a couple of days to come down and have a job interview," Hickman said. "I got hired on the spot."

Rebuilding lives

Hickman said family and friends gave him a nice reception when he returned to Wyoming. "For the most part, everybody was very supportive," he said.

Still, some aspects of civilian life took a while to adjust to.

"When I showed up at the first coal mine where I worked … I didn't get a lot of initial guidance, which was hard for me," he said.

"Another big thing was … I was kind of shocked at the lack of discipline at work," Hickman said.

"Guys would go up to the boss and tell him he was an idiot, or things like that, and I sure wasn't used to that. I was used to the Army life, where the boss was in charge and you treated him with respect."

Working seven days on and seven days off, Hickman suddenly found himself with lots of time on his hands.

"All of the sudden I had all this time off, which was awesome, but it was like, 'Wow, what am I going to do with all this time?'" he said.

"In the Army, the most you got was a day off or two, and you still might have to come in on those days … there's no saying no to the Army," Hickman said. "So it was nice coming out and knowing my work schedule a year in advance."

Hickman said he joined the Wyoming Army National Guard's 960th Alpha Co. out of Douglas in October, in part because he missed the camaraderie of the military.

"I also felt I had some experiences that I could use to train a lot of these Guard soldiers … and teach them the stuff that I know and learned," he said.

Reporter Jeff Gearino can be reached at 307-875-5359 or at gearino@tribcsp.com.

* Age: 27

* Born: Riverton

* Education: Graduate, Douglas High School

* Occupation: Equipment operator, Antelope Coal Mine

* Military service: Sergeant, cavalry scout, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, U.S. Army

* Awards: Bronze Star]]->