By Kaitlin Keane

The first in a series of stories chronicling members of Northeastern University called for duty in Iraq.

Tyler Peters gestured toward the vague outlines of structures on the map displayed on the computer monitor in front of him, pointing out the brick building where he will soon reside. He explains his roommate situation, speaks about the surrounding area, and mentions that he will have fairly frequent access to DSL lines and a telephone.

Though the conversation is reminiscent of a college freshman excited about new dorms, Peters’ situation is quite different. He is viewing his barracks at Camp Anaconda, the U.S. military base he will be living at while stationed in Iraq this fall. He looks at an aerial view of the former Iraqi Air Force base that he will soon call home, a far cry from his familiar college campus.

As a specialist with the 220th Transportation Company out of Keene, N.H., Peters, 20, will serve an estimated 15 months in Iraq beginning this fall. As his friends at Northeastern prepare for middler year classes in September, Peters will be in combat training in Indiana, learning to protect himself if ambushed or to identify and disarm the improvised explosive devices of the insurgency.

He is just one of a number of Northeastern students that have either served in Iraq, are currently serving, or are waiting for their final orders of mobilization.

Born in Columbia, Mo., Peters moved to the east coast while attending elementary school and grew up in Manchester, N.H. After graduating high school, he enrolled in Northeastern’s College of Criminal Justice and enlisted in the Army Reserves. In addition to numerous military officers in his family, many of his friends had already joined and enlistment seemed like an appealing alternative to school.