 House
minority leader James Smith has been away from the Statehouse
for the past few weeks while in basic training at Fort
Jackson. The three-month training transformed the lawmaker
into a soldier.
It's a great experience never to be
repeated, I think. Smith said.
He wanted to fight for
his country and have the opportunity to lead other soldiers,
but to do it; the JAG officer resigned his position and went
into basic training. At times, he wondered if he'd made a
mistake.
Going from head of a household, running a
law practice, to minority leader, to basically a maggot, it's
an adjustment, he said laughing.
Now at the end of 11
long weeks, he's reuniting with his family and finishing with
the honor of outstanding soldier leader.
Not only did
he make it through, he made it with flying colors, and we're
very proud of him, his wife, Kirkland Smith,
said.
He's a good lawyer and a good representative and
now, a good solider and he's a great dad, his eldest son,
Emerson, said.
Now that Sergeant Smith is finished
training to serve his country he says he's ready to resume his
duties to his state.
I can't wait. I'm looking forward
to getting back to the Statehouse. Particularly when I hear
about the goings on over there, without supervision, Im a
little worried about that majority these days, he said
smiling.
Smith says the soldier experience gives him a
new perspective.
One thing I thought a lot about is
the politics going on in Iraq and around the world, and then
what it means to be the soldier on the ground, Smith
said.
He says it's a good feeling to know that when
soldiers are needed to fight, he can now go with them.
Smith still has more Army training to complete, but it
won't interrupt his daily schedule. He says he'll be at the
Statehouse bright and early Tuesday
morning.
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