Ott’s Welcome Home Overshadowed By Redeployment

Pictures from left to right are: Shannon Spears, Bryan Ott, Claressa Ott and Kody McCabe along with the couple's two children

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The band Skyline was tuning their amps and guitars, the sub sandwiches and other party favors were all set, and the man of the hour Bryan Ott was enjoying the company of family and friends.

Ott, who has already served two tours in Afghanistan, is slated for a return trip in the near future.

Ott was born and raised in Oskaloosa and now serves with the US Army as a mechanic. His airborne cavalry unit is stationed near Schwwinfurt, Germany. His dad still calls Osky home, with brothers and other friends making the journey to the lower level of Mahaska Bowl to see him.

“Really not to pleasant” was Ott’s thought on going back for a third tour, “there’s nothing really good to say about it. I’ll do it just because I signed the contract, but do I want to go willingly? Not really.”

Once his enlistment time is up and he is done with the Army, Ott says it’s up in the air where he and his family will call home.

Criminal justice or other type of law enforcement work is something he would like to get into when he, his wife Claressa and the kids have put their time in with the Army.