General visits Moses Lake High School

Former grad fields students' questions

MOSES LAKE - For the first time since graduating from Moses Lake High School in 1972, Maj. Gen. Scott West visited students to share his story and answer questions about making the military his career.

West is the commanding general of the TACOM Life Cycle Management Center in Warren, Mich. TACOM handles life cycle management for all combat vehicles, ground tactical weapons, weapons, artillery pieces, uniforms and individuals' equipment.

He's also involved with the procurement process of equipment, including the sustaining, maintenance and disposal of used items.

Before the presentation, he said most people can separate their views on global terrorism from America's military members.

"It's pretty cool, everyone you run into can recognize the distinction."

West also said he wasn't at the school to recruit.

West, 54, spoke to five classes Monday, starting with Terry Melbye's graphics class of high school seniors.

West and Melbye graduated from the school together. They appeared happy with their quick reunion, greeting one another with handshakes and smiles. West's brother Bill West of Moses Lake, who formerly served in the Army, also arrived to hear the talk.

Scott West said he actually planned to return to Moses Lake High School after finishing college and coach wrestling, but instead he served in Korea, Ft. Bragg, Ft. Lee and in Germany.

He said he had no regrets, but wondered how his life would have turned out if he hadn't made the military his life.

During his visit to Melbye's class, West talked about his job and family and fielded questions ranging from inquiries about the direction of his shoulder patch to the war in Iraq. His wife Patti (Gies) West is also a Moses Lake High School graduate and they have two daughters, Stacie, 26, and Rachel, 19.

"I'm a general because I've been surrounded by really good people for 32 years," he explained.

There's a total of 307 generals in the active Army and 512,000 people on active Army duty.

Sabrina Channell, 17, asked West if he thought the U.S. had stayed in Iraq too long.

West replied he shared Channell's view, but a condition must be set to leave Iraq. The Iraqis have to be able to provide their own security, he said.

West added the Iraqis are "getting after it" and taking charge of their own security. He said he is returning to Iraq next month.

He told the students his life is one of discipline, much of what was formed at the high school. But West added his grades reflected he had more fun.

The talk ended and students walked out the door.

As West and Melbye stood in the hall, Melbye told him he "made the whole town proud."