Sargent deploys to Afghanistan

Pvt. Clinton Sargent, of Cape Girardeau, is one of nearly 93 Missouri National Guard Soldiers deploying to Afghanistan with the 1138th Engineer Company, of Farmington.

FARMINGTON, Mo. -- Pvt. Clinton Sargent, of Cape Girardeau, is one of nearly 93 Missouri National Guard Soldiers deploying to Afghanistan with the 1138th Engineer Company, of Farmington.

The unit -- which draws Soldiers from the 1140th Engineer Battalion in Cape Girardeau -- is part of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, and will be conducting route clearance missions.

Soldiers spent 29 days training at Camp Crowder and Camp Clark for pre-mobilization training that allowed them to learn necessary skills for deployment. Training conducted there included weapons qualifications, route clearance operations and tactics, battle drills and warrior tasks.

Currently, Soldiers are finalizing appropriate training for deployment at Fort Bliss, Texas, including squad and platoon battle drills and tasks while being in vehicles and environments similar to that in which they will encounter while deployed. After mobilization training, the Soldiers will deploy to Afghanistan in mid-August.

Sargent joined the Missouri Army National Guard in July 2011 and completed basic training as a combat engineer in December 2011.

This is his first deployment and he's proud to serve his country and return home safely, said Sargent

"I can't wait to get back and hug my Family, my girlfriend and celebrate my 21st birthday," said Sargent.

While deployed, the company will fall under the command and control of the 120th Engineer Battalion, Oklahoma National Guard. The Soldiers are scheduled to return in the spring of 2013.

Sargent is a graduate of Cape Central High School. He is supported in his military career by his mother, Marilyn Sargent, of Cape Girardeau.

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