Chief Warrant Officer Kurtis “Wes” Westrup recently returned from his third tour in Iraq. This was his fifth international deployment away from his wife and four children for a year or more. Wes is a “lifer”. Come November, he will have served 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. And then it’s over. He will retire and embark on his second career. Westrup, a 1987 graduate of Eden Valley-Watkins, is a bulk fuel specialist. His job is to set up temporary gas stations in the field, fueling our combat troops. He was in Iraq during the invasion, and helped set up a 60-mile long fuel hose. “We had it up and pushing out fuel in four days,” Westrup said proudly. The logistics of fueling humvees, trucks, tanks, helicopters, and jet fighter planes could be overwhelming, especially in combat areas. One big advantage, Westrup explained, is that the U.S. military uses the same fuel for all their vehicles, with no engine modifications needed. That single fuel is jet fuel. “In lay terms,” explained Westrup, “it’s like using 92-octane gas instead of 88-octane.” He added that it’s a cleaner-burning fuel as well. Westrup wants to stay in the fuel business after his retirement from the Marines. As an SME – subject matter expert – he knows a lot about fuel, delivery, and lab testing, and he understands the hazards. He hopes to find a fuel-related job back here in Minnesota. Westrup’s fondest memories growing up here revolve around hunting and fishing. He wants to give his children the “luxury” to go out and play in the woods. “The real unsung heroes are family members,” said Westrup whose wife Rita served 10 years in the Navy. “The wife becomes father, and kids take up responsibilities at home. It takes a toll on the family, and makes you value things a lot more.” He went on to say it’s easier for the military members being deployed. They are busy working, arrive in a new situation and have new things to learn. Meanwhile, the family comes home to an empty home where one of the parents had been just yesterday. The last two weeks before deployment are usually the hardest, he said. “They go by so fast. You’re taking ordinary moments and trying to make them memorable. It’s emotionally taxing.” God willing, Westrup completed has final deployment, and he’s excited that the “cloud” of deployment is no longer lingering over his family. After nearly 20 years in the Marines, Westrup is beginning to look back on his first career as he begins to look toward his second. “The Marine Corps has given me a lot,” he said. “Camaraderie, teamwork, effort.” “It’s fun,” he added. “Being a leader is like being a teacher. You watch young kids come in. You watch them grow, mature. There’s a lot of satisfaction.” Westrup has been in charge of anywhere from 60 to 284 individuals – with all the challenges and problems that presents – during his career. His overseas service has given him a stark perspective. One of the things he looks forward to after retirement is driving up to a gas station and getting regular gas. “We as U.S. citizens take a lot for granted,” he said. He visited several of Saddam Hussein’s palaces in Iraq, so plush and posh with their gold chandeliers and all. And nearby would be simple mud huts with no water. “Other countries don’t have it as good [as we do],” said Westrup. “We’re just plain spoiled,” he added. “We want everything when we want it, but don’t want to pay for it. We’re quick to complain, but won’t pay taxes to fix it.” He used the example of road repairs – we all complain, but no one wants to pay extra taxes to pay for repairs. His last visit to Minnesota was when his father died in 2003. His extended family is here, and he looks forward to moving home and catching up on lots of hunting and fishing with his children. Westrup hopes to keep his retirement and transition into his second career low-key. He and his family have eight months to work on a plan – together.
