“I deal with ten reservists who are students here on campus, any of whom could be called up depending on the military situation and how it changes. Lane is the only one who has been deployed that I can verify at this time”
— Audrey Crist

TCU student deployed to join Operation Enduring Freedom
By Kami Lewis
Staff Reporter

TCU student and Marine reservist Lane Smutz was deployed this week along with approximately 60 other Marines and two Marine tanker aircraft from the Fort Worth joint reserve base to join Operation Enduring Freedom.

Smutz, a sophomore math major and Marine corporal, joined the reserves after finishing high school, said his mother, Treva Smutz.

Audrey Crist, the veteran’s affairs officer for TCU said Smutz was registered for classes before he was activated on Jan. 26, but that his first tuition check was refunded after he contacted her. He did not attend classes this semester, she said.

“I deal with ten reservists who are students here on campus, any of whom could be called up depending on the military situation and how it changes,” she said. “Lane is the only one who has been deployed that I can verify at this time.”

His mother said the TCU staff was very helpful in dealing with Smutz’ needs.

“We were reimbursed immediately for the tuition, he was released from classes and we were told the academic scholarship he was on would still be available to him when he gets back,” she said.

She cried when she talked about a letter from the scholarship chairman her son received before he left.

“He wrote the nicest letter saying he hoped everything goes well on his mission, and that most importantly he hoped Lane comes back safely,” she said. “TCU dealt with the whole situation wonderfully.”

Smutz will remain activated for one year, but plans on returning to TCU as soon as possible, his mother said. He is a structural mechanic and works on a C130, a four engine, propeller driven transport plane.

Tan Nguyen, a senior biology major who works in an artillery division of the Marine reservists said he is unlikely to be activated unless there is a full theater of war.

“I feel bad because it’s really the luck of the draw which division you end up in,” he said.

“It’s really interesting because you operate in two different worlds when you’re on base and when you’re on campus. One world you have to worry about getting shot at, and the other you have to worry about your grades.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Kami Lewis
k.e.lewis2@student.tcu.edu

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