Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter

Jamaican-born Jerome Young who served in the American army in Iraq, points to a tattoo memorialising his fellow Jamaican soldier who died in his arms while in the field. - File

After a traumatic first tour of duty in Iraq, Jerome Young, a Jamaica-born member of the United States Army, is packing his bags for service in another war-torn country.

Speaking from his home in the Bronx, New York, yesterday, the former Holmwood Technical High School student, said he is leaving for Afghanistan Sunday, October 15, where he will spend a year with ground troops on front-line duties.

Despite the painful memories of his 2004 tour of duty in Iraq, where he experienced the horrors of war, '3 Star,' as he is affectionately called, says his past experience has made him more confident and he now knows what to expect.

My worst time

"I have already survived my worst time which was in Iraq, the worse combat environment," said Mr. Young. "Right now I want to go there (Afghanistan) and show the people the good side of a soldier. I am looking forward to embracing these people, especially the children, and showing them nuff love," the 33-year-old soldier said.

He stressed that one of his wishes is to go to Afghanistan and win the people's hearts, because most times they just see soldiers as killers. After his return from Iraq, Mr. Young said he had signed off to concentrate on his music career, but was recalled recently for this assignment.

"I believe this will be my last trip," said Mr. Young, who was born and grew up in Kingston.

In his last assignment, Mr. Young was among a platoon of soldiers who came under attack from insurgents in Iraq. A shot that was intended for him ripped through the head of his best friend, André Chuck, another Jamaican soldier.

"I could see the hole in his head. He died in my arms," recalled Mr. Young.

The incident affected him. For some time, he was unable to eat, sleep and keep focused, even losing weight. People were dying in large numbers. At least two Jamaican-born U.S. soldiers died in that operation.

When asked how he felt about going back to another war-torn country, Mr. Young said: "I have never thought about death, because I am going there to do a job, which I am now more capable of doing. I coming back to continue with my music career."

Young left Jamaica for the United States in 1997.