RADFORD -- More than 6,000 miles and eight hours separate RU junior Rick Agosta from his friends and fellow students. While they're likely finishing up their classes for the day, the exercise, sport and health education major from Manassas is just a few hours short of reporting for his daily duty at FOB Kalsu military base south of Baghdad.

Agosta joined the Army in early 2003, completed basic and job training in December 2003 and enrolled at RU in the spring of 2004. He's on his second tour of duty in Iraq, and though he's had to start and stop his education a few times, Agosta remains focused and plans to hit the books again when he returns from duty in August.

A Civil Affairs Specialist, Agosta works with Iraqi citizens, setting up projects that range from school renovations to building new schools and medical facilities. Agosta says, "Civil Affairs is there to win the hearts and minds of the local populace. Name a project that needs to be done and Civil Affairs can work to get it done." His team is currently doing school renovations and working on a water treatment facility.

On his first tour, Agosta said nothing could prepare him for the culture shock when he ventured outside the base. He says, “It was a scene from another planet.” This tour is a bit different in that he is based in a large agricultural area dotted by small towns and fields as far as the eye can see. He says, "The threat level on this tour has dropped considerably from last tour and that was even hard to get used to."

Though several members of his family have a military background, Agosta said he had many reasons for joining the ARMY. One of them was 9/11. He says, "After 9/11, I wanted to serve for my country and my loved ones. I did this for myself but also at the same time I never wanted any of my loved ones to have to go over and put their lives in harm's way. That is why I am proud to do what I am doing for my country, my loved ones, and the people we help."

Being an Army Reserve soldier and a student at the same time has been challenging, he says. Before his most recent deployment, Agosta would report for the Army Reserve one weekend a month. Agosta says, "Your weekend is taken in the sense of travel and studying. I would drive to Maryland on Friday afternoon and wake up early Saturday and Sunday to do my training. After final formation on Sunday, I would pack up my car and drive five hours or longer back to Radford just to get back at a decent time to try and get some rest before the next day's classes. It becomes a task to try and study and get prepared for tests over a drill weekend. And tests always seem to be the Monday after a drill weekend.”

Though thousands of miles separate Agosta from life on campus, a strong network of support from family, classmates and professors helps him feel that a part of him is still here. He stays in contact via e-mail and Facebook and keeps an ongoing dialogue with professors who are helping him get registered for fall classes. "I've received a lot of support through the Veteran's Support Group on campus and my friends while I've been over here. My roommate Dan Kruhm has been there to keep my spirits high, as well as my friend and fellow veteran and RU student Yanil Esobar."

Even if people don't agree the war on terrorism, Agosta hopes they will support the troops. "At the end of the day, we are American soldiers who need support from people who care about us. Support for the troops is a huge factor to help soldiers get through the tough times they face."

Professors Susan Miller and Bev Zeakes are helping Agosta register for fall semester. Miller says, “He is one of the best ambassadors we can have to show the people of Iraq that we are a caring society who knows that children are our future.  I feel safer because Richard is there, but I am looking forward to his return this summer.”

Agosta enjoys working with children and being active. He plans to become a physical educator.