Paul Jeff Melton

That change is coming in Iraq is obvious as a result of the U. S. military presence in that nation, but Arkansas National Guard 1st Sergeant Paul "Jeff" Melton is not pessimistic about that change, as are many who are not on the ground there.

First Sgt.Melton of Alpha Co., 1st Battalion, 39th Brigade Combat Team, 153rd Infantry, attached to the 1st Cavalry Division, sees a glimmer of hope at the end of a generational cycle in Iraq, despite the current turmoil.

"They've had time to get away from the Saddam regime, and they're starting to trust and see that there is another way to live," he said."Sure, they're still holding back a little bit, because they're not really sure how this new system works.They can't believe it can be as good as we say it is.

"I can understand that, because for generations that is all they have ever known," Melton added."They are a little apprehensive about it, and that is just my opinion."

The Iraqi people are beginning to recognize the difference between themselves and the terrorist insurgency currently operating in the country, he said.

"On average, they understand, and the majority that I talk to, at least to my face, tell me, 'These are the bad people.They are from so and so.I don't know that car; would you mind looking at that car,'" Melton explained."They understand that it's not the soldiers that are out to hurt them; they see us trying to stop the violence that's happening to them.

"They're slowly coming around to understanding that it's not Americans against them; it's their own people, or people from other countries coming in," he said."It's going to take a little time, but I think it's going to work out for them."

A native of Cale in Nevada County, Melton is a professional soldier as a full time service member of the Arkansas National Guard with a total of 19 years military service.He joined the Arkansas Guard at age 17.

"I joined the Prescott Guard in March, 1985, spent three years in the Prescott unit, went to active duty and spent four years with the First Cavalry Division, and went to Desert Shield and Desert Storm with them; got out, and came right back to the same spot I was in the Prescott Guard, and I've been there ever since," he explained.

During the interim, Melton worked as a millwright in Hope before returning to full time service in the ARNG in 1998.
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Melton knows something about the military, desert warfare, and the attitudes in the Middle East.

"Desert Storm was not in an urban environment; we were out in wide-open spaces, fighting an organized, uniformed force," he said."In this case in Iraq, up until this started, we mainly focused our training in a wooden environment, a jungle environment; so, when this came up, we had to shift our thinking.

"That's the reason it took us so long at Fort Hood and Fort Polk before we went over there to get geared more toward an urban environment," he said."It's two completely different spectrums between Desert Shield and Operation Enduring Freedom."

Melton said the capabilities of the modern ARNG no reflects longer the "weekend warrior" culture of the past.

"Really, it's like a light switch, is the easiest way to describe it," he said."An hour before the mission, when they start loading the trucks, they are totally focused.They know where they're going, what they're going to be doing, who is going to be with them; they know if something goes wrong, where to go, who to call.

"They know that there is somebody on standby if they need them," Melton added.
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"The active duty guys; their world revolves around soldiers," Melton said.
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That kind of confidence will help dismantle the terrorist insurgency in Iraq in the long run, Melton said.

"It makes me feel good that they're willing to talk to us; and, they're not out there running from us and hiding," he said.
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"We've got a real good sector," Melton added."There is right at 300,000 people in it; a lot of businesses.I'm in downtown Baghdad.We live in the Green Zone, and just across the river is where we patrol."

Positive change in Iraq is evident, Melton said.

"They can decide more about what they can spend their money on; what's important to them," he said."There is not a shortage of people wanting stuff.I'm real impressed in the way I'm seeing things turning around.I could see it from the first day we were out, where there was trash in the streets, and you were kind of worried about your health for all the trash.

"But, now, you'll see people picking up trash," Melton said.