“Try To Be An Officer Soldiers Deserve”: Deployments To Iraq And Afghanistan With 3-89 Cavalry

Rick Lovering grew up in central Ohio with his parents and two brothers. He attended the Ohio State University and majored in Latin American Studies, spending a semester abroad in Ecuador and Argentina. At new student orientation he heard the pitch from the ROTC detachment and decided to participate. Of the 60 students who started the program with him, 12 commissioned. Rick commissioned as an Armor Officer and was assigned to 3-89 Cavalry, part of the 4th Brigade of the 10th Mountain Division, stationed at Ft. Polk, Louisiana. During his time at 3-89 CAV, he deployed once to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan, where he served as a Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, Aide de Camp, Troop Commander, and Operations Advisor. He then attended grad school at Southern Mississippi University, earning a Master’s Degree in History, before teaching in the Department of History at the United States Military Academy. In this interview, Rick talks about his childhood, his experiences in ROTC, and his deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He describes his experiences in Iraq and some of the missions he participated in as a Platoon Leader. While discussing his deployments to Afghanistan, he highlights being an Aide de Camp for MG John Uberti, participating in Ramp Ceremonies, and awarding Purple Hearts. His account of the first time he was shot at brings to light the importance of proper planning. He finishes by recalling his experiences as a member of the USMA faculty, and shares what West Point means to him.