Aviation Machinist Mate 2nd Class Robert Dorr, an instructor from Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU), returned Jan. 13 from individual augmentee (IA) service in Iraq and quickly re-qualified to instruct both the P-3C Orion and EA-6B Prowler Organizational Level Maintenance courses.

Dorr’s emotional attachment to his country is what motivated him to volunteer for IA duty when the opportunity presented itself.

“I went IA because I’m an American and it’s the right thing to do. I took it personal when the 9/11 incident happened,” said Dorr. ìSo when a chance to go IA became available, I threw my name in the hat.

Dorr added that he had to complete a lot of Navy Knowledge Online courses prior to leaving for training at Fort Bliss in El Paso Texas.

After training in El Paso, Dorr shipped out to Kuwait where he attended a five-day training course. Upon completion of training Dorr was transported via convoy to Iraq.

“I was chief of the guard, running the compound that monitored nearly 2,200 detainees,” said Dorr. “My job was to make sure that the detainees were safe and secure until their release.”

When the camp he was assigned to shut down, Dorr went to another camp in Iraq where he worked at detainee visitation maintaining a well fostered relationship between the U.S. Forces and local Iraqi families.

Dorr recalled the interactions he had with detainee’s families saying, “The people in Iraq aren’t too different from Americans. I learned that most Iraqis want good homes, good families, and want peace, not war. One of the most significant things I remember from being in Iraq was the peaceful people.”

Dorr credits the experience he gained from his time in Iraq to his current leadership skills with junior Sailors.

“I try to paint a picture of what life is like for Sailors on the ground and use that to put life in the Navy in perspective for our young Sailors,” he said. “I want them all to know that if they think they have it bad, they should think about the guys we have on the ground.”

Just 12 days upon arriving home, Dorr was back in the class as an instructor.