By 1st Lt. Matt Spartz | Speical to the Daily Herald
Editor’s Note: Army Lt. Matt Spartz, a lifelong Lombard resident, is a 2008 journalism graduate of University of Illinois. He recently was deployed to Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne Division. From there, he will be submitting occasional reports for the Daily Herald.
The Army is a culture of validation. We walk around with our resumes on our chest: rank, airborne and marksmanship badges, even the perception of prestigious versus bland unit patches. But possibly the No. 1 validation of a modern …

Recently 1st Platoon did what is called a “calibration,” which is a fancy way to say we measured the speed that our new ammo travels at. This helps us fire as accurate as possible and maintain our first round steel-on-target reputation.

The best part about calibrating is that we get to shoot what’s called “direct fire.” Usually we fire “non-line-of-sight,” which means an observer tells us where to shoot, and once we fire we never see the rounds impact. With direct fire, we aim at the mountain side next to the …

 Lombard soldier’s intro to war: 10% violence, 90% excruciating boredom
 
Editor’s Note: Army Lt. Matt Spartz, a lifelong Lombard resident, is a 2008 journalism graduate at University of Illinois. He recently was deployed to Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne Division. From there, he will be submitting occasional reports for the Daily Herald.
When the suicide bomber and squad of reported Taliban dressed in U.S. Army uniforms used grenades to breach the gate at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, the morning of May 19, my eyes shot open. I pulled one ear out behind …

I have worked a deal with the Chicago Daily Herald to be a contributing guest columnist while serving my tour in Afghanistan. I am extremely thrilled to be working with a professional publication, and also to share my stories with friends and family.
Here is my inaugural piece!
Lombard soldier ‘excited to get off the bench’
Editor’s Note: Army Lt. Matt Spartz, a lifelong Lombard resident, is a 2008 journalism graduate at University of Illinois. He recently was deployed to Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne Division. The is the first of occasional reports …

On the final day before deploying to the Land of the Afghans, Britt and I went on one of our characteristic adventures. In the heart of Clarksville hides Dunbar Cave recreation area. Never missing a moment to snap a few pics, and needing an excuse to break in my new boots, I grabbed the Nikon and we hit the trail.
The flood line from last week’s disaster was visible throughout the park. Giant trees found their way up 25-foot hills and the stone walls were striped with dirt.
I can’t wait to …