Tony Chanthalavanh rejoins Iowa Guard, set to begin third overseas deployment

MT. PLEASANT - When Tony Chanthalavanh first joined Mt. Pleasant's National Guard unit in 2002 at 17 years old, he didn't quite know what he was getting into.

'I had to have my parents sign off to join,” he said.

Chanthalavanh immigrated with his family from Laos to the United States in 1986 and was always interested in 'being part of the army or doing something with the military.”

'I wanted to give back to a country that has given my family so much,” he said.

The guard member moved to Mt. Pleasant in the 7th grade and grew up around many of the members of his original unit.

'I had a really good friend that joined the Mt. Pleasant unit and he talked me into joining,” he said.

Since he first joined in 2002, Chanthalavanh has served as a squad leader and completed two overseas deployments - one to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. For the last several years, he has served with a unit from Mississippi but was sworn back in to the Iowa Army National Guard in April. The guard member said his goal is to serve until at least his 20 year mark and plans to retire with the Iowa Guard.

Currently, Chanthalavanh is preparing for his third deployment.

Jason Wesely, longtime friend of Chanthalavanh and recruiter for the Iowa Army National Guard, said having his friend return to the state feels like 'he's coming home.” Wesely and Chanthalavanh joined the National Guard as combat engineers the same year, going through basic training together.

'It's a big deal for us and the Iowa Guard to have him back. He's such a good leader and has such a valuable skill set and knowledge to share with young soldiers,” Wesely said.

Wesely said one of Chanthalavanh's greatest asset is his ability to 'remain levelheaded under pressure.”

'He's one of the most calm leaders I've ever seen. He's a very cool operator, I think, which is important, especially when it comes to young people. Some people can learn to become a good leader but Tony was just born with it,” Wesely said.

Chanthalavanh says himself that being part of the guard has helped him grow most as a leader and believes he was shaped by watching and observing those above him as a young member.

'When I first joined, I was really young and not mentally mature enough, but having great leaders above me shaped me into the leader I am now. I just took leadership skills from my peers, grabbed some of their attributes and put it in my hat,” he said.

Being able to command a group includes being a good listener and taking 'lessons learned from previous experiences,” as well as being able to 'work along your peers,” the squad leader noted.

'I would say leading a squad or platoon in a combat zone, making the call on decisions and staying on your feet has been one of the most memorable experiences,” he added.

Though he first entered the National Guard for personal reasons, Chanthalavanh said what motivates him to continue to serve has changed.

'At first it was for myself - to become a better person, a better leader. Once you move up in the ranks, it's for the people to the right and left of you, serving alongside you,” he said.

With his third deployment quickly approaching, Chanthalavanh said he has more 'mixed emotions” the time he will have to spend away from his family.

'When I was first deployed, I was by myself and single. The second I had a son and a daughter on the way, and now my third deployment, I have three kids. Leaving for deployment now will be harder than the first two,” he said. His deployment will last approximately a year.

Still, Chanthalavanh is excited to be back with the Iowa Guard and serving his home community.

'It's for a good purpose and good cause. It means a lot that I can still serve the state and serve the people in the community, and get to deploy with people from Iowa,” he said.