Marine Sven Hestrand - Someone You Should Know

Posted By Blackfive

In 1987, Sven Hestrand enlisted in the Army of his homeland, Sweden. But instead of performing the mandatory 2 years of service, Hestrand became a Swedish Army Infantry Officer and continued to serve his country. He was deployed to Lebanon, Sarajevo and Kosovo.

In 1992, Hestrand won a football scholarship to Bethany College in Kansas. After graduating, he became a PE teacher at an American Military Academy High School.

In 2001, at the age of 33, he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve. He was too old to get a commission so he enlisted instead. In 2002, he became an American citizen. He deployed as a Forward Observer (calling in Artillery for Infantry and Armor units) to Iraq in June 2003 and redeployed home in December.

Now, he's back in Iraq providing security for the commanding general of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.

Here are some quotes from an article about American Marine Corporal Hestrand:

..."People always ask, 'You just spent six months over there, why go back?'" said Hestrand, who completed his first tour in Iraq in December 2003. "Because I like it - not in the sense of adventure, but in the aspect of giving me purpose in my life. I don't have to worry about the incidentals, the gas prices or who's winning on American Idol, because it really doesn't matter out here. The only thing that does is doing your job and staying alive, and you get hooked up with some of the best people in the world doing it."

..."(Hestrand) brings a lot of knowledge from past units - all the way from foreign militaries to being a part of different conflicts," said Sgt. Jeffery McCoy, a PSD team member and a native of Riverside, Calif. "I trust him 1,000 percent to watch my back. He's just an all-around good guy."

...Reflecting on redeploying so soon after returning from Iraq, Hestrand simply said, "Call me old fashioned, but one of the reasons I love the Marine Corps is the hard work ethic - I truly respect that."

If Marine Corporal Hestrand ever makes it to Chicago, I'll hoist a glass with him and give a mighty, "SKAL!"

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Marine Sven Hestrand - Someone You Should Know

In 1987, Sven Hestrand enlisted in the Army of his homeland, Sweden. But instead of performing the mandatory 2 years of service, Hestrand became a Swedish Army Infantry Officer and continued to serve his country. He was deployed to Lebanon, Sarajevo and Kosovo.

In 1992, Hestrand won a football scholarship to Bethany College in Kansas. After graduating, he became a PE teacher at an American Military Academy High School.

In 2001, at the age of 33, he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve. He was too old to get a commission so he enlisted instead. In 2002, he became an American citizen. He deployed as a Forward Observer (calling in Artillery for Infantry and Armor units) to Iraq in June 2003 and redeployed home in December.

Now, he's back in Iraq providing security for the commanding general of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force.

Here are some quotes from an article about American Marine Corporal Hestrand:

..."People always ask, 'You just spent six months over there, why go back?'" said Hestrand, who completed his first tour in Iraq in December 2003. "Because I like it - not in the sense of adventure, but in the aspect of giving me purpose in my life. I don't have to worry about the incidentals, the gas prices or who's winning on American Idol, because it really doesn't matter out here. The only thing that does is doing your job and staying alive, and you get hooked up with some of the best people in the world doing it."

..."(Hestrand) brings a lot of knowledge from past units - all the way from foreign militaries to being a part of different conflicts," said Sgt. Jeffery McCoy, a PSD team member and a native of Riverside, Calif. "I trust him 1,000 percent to watch my back. He's just an all-around good guy."

...Reflecting on redeploying so soon after returning from Iraq, Hestrand simply said, "Call me old fashioned, but one of the reasons I love the Marine Corps is the hard work ethic - I truly respect that."

If Marine Corporal Hestrand ever makes it to Chicago, I'll hoist a glass with him and give a mighty, "SKAL!"

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