Alfred C. "Al" Habelman

I spent a good amount of time with CSM Habelman while in Afghanistan and working in Iraq with him. I still remember the call when he asked me if I wanted to go work with him in Iraq. The truth is, I would have followed him anywhere because that is the kind of leader he was. I still have my Hawaiian shirt we bought together in Ft. Bragg before we were deployed and wear it April 1st every year, then head out to get some Ice Cream like we did so many times in Iraq. He was a...

I serve with CSM HABELMAN in Afghanistan 03-04 and he was a good friend. After our tour in A-Stan we kept in touch and we both ended up in Iraq (Al as a Contractor over in Fallujah and me with the 1/156 AR 256 BCT 1st CAV at Camp Victory in Baghdad. One day SGT Khors called me and said he and Al were working a PSD out in Fallujah and would be coming to Camp Vic and let´s link up. I said great! And we planned to meet the next day (30 or 31 Mar 2005) unfortunately I was not able to link up...

Coming up on the 7th year since his death, I have learned more about the man who was my brothers Godfather than I ever knew before. I salute him now in memory of the man he was: An extremely honorable man, and a man who's principles I will never cease to respect. He lives on in our memories, and I will never forget.

Sergeant Alfred C Habelman is THE reason I was able to serve in Special Forces and the reason both of my children also served in the military.
Back in ’86, coming from a MASH unit into SF Reserves (3rd/12th) as Battalion Surgeon, I had to get jump-qualified. At that time, the Airborne Committee had approved SF jump school at Ft McCoy and as a two-week course, BUT only with the stipulation they had to pack into two weeks what is normally done over three weeks at Benning, with the...

Al,
I'm not one for making public entries like this (just like you)but I think of you and miss your humor and company. One day we'll laugh again together on how I let you out on a string on the road to Baghdad so you could almost get lit up by your beloved Army comrades at that roadblock. Just remember that I did finally get out to save you. Semper Fidelis!

Al was a true hero in every sense of the word. I knew Al because he protected me while I was working in Iraq. Al comforted me with is presence and strength. I could do my job everyday knowing that I had this man watching out for my well being. I will miss Al but I will never ever forget him.

Al was the model of an SF Soldier. I worked with him in Afghanistan and Iraq. A great natural leader and great friend. No narrative could ever tell you just how much I mean these words. We were the only private sector enterprise that dared work in Anbar Province and we succeeded largely because of Al's audacious plans that kept the insurgents several steps behind us and off balance. It was a wild ride and we whooped them. It was just bad luck that got Al. It could happen to any of us out...

I did not have the honor of knowing Sergeant Major Habelman. The honor of knowing about him has been extended to me by a High School friend who thought very highly of this fine man. My own brother is in Special Forces, has been for 20 years now. My family has recently been blessed with his arrival home. Although we are ecstatic to have him home for now, we are also filled with that sorrow residing deep in our souls for those not coming home to their families. I believe each and every soldier...