Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Kara Ann Kittrell Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Iraq War, 2003-2011
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: Headquarters, Headquarters Detachment, 1138th Engineer Battalion; Missouri Army National Guard
- Location of Service: Missouri; Kuwait; Iraq; Germany
- Highest Rank: Specialist
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/57007
Specialist Kara Ann Kittrell enlisted in the Army two months and 17 days after the September 11th terrorist attacks, with the sole purpose of getting deployed. As she explains, she didn't want to be a bystander to the U.S. military involvement in the Middle East. While in Iraq, she served with the 1138th Engineer Battalion. As part of an armed escort team, she traveled around much of the country, and her time there inspired a love for the Middle East. At the time of her interview, she was pursuing a degree in International Business with a certificate in Middle East studies.
Interview / Recording
Share
-
PlayWhy she enlisted. 00:01:12.9 - 00:01:34.1
-
PlayArriving at boot camp; feeling immediate sense of belonging; bonding with her Army family. 00:02:43.0 - 00:03:19.0
-
PlayMemorable female drill sergeant. 00:04:43.0 - 00:05:21.0
-
PlayArrival in Kuwait; first impressions. 00:08:46.0 - 00:09:29.0
-
PlayIncident in which she nearly got stuck in a lake while driving a commanding engineer. 00:13:53.0 - 00:19:27.0
-
PlayFeeling pressure of having her team's lives in her hands; how she handled stress; acting tough; importance of buddies. 00:32:16.0 - 00:35:08.0
-
PlayDifficulty in readjusting to life back in the US; things had changed; seeing herself as a veteran. 00:46:20.0 - 00:49:17.0
About this Item
Title
- Kara Ann Kittrell Collection
Names
- Gartside, Jeanne A.
- Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Missouri
- Kittrell, Kara Ann
Home State
- Missouri
Headings
- - Kittrell, Kara Ann
- - Iraq War, 2003-2011 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Form
- DVD
Extent
- 1 item
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Female
Race
- White
Status
- veteran
Service History
-
Iraq War, 2003-2011
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: Headquarters, Headquarters Detachment, 1138th Engineer Battalion; Missouri Army National Guard
- Location of Service: Missouri; Kuwait; Iraq; Germany
- Highest Rank: Specialist
- Dates of Service: 2001
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Video: DVD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2007-03-08; 2007-09-06)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/57007
Cite as
- Kara Ann Kittrell Collection (AFC/2001/001/57007), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- video