Two Civilians Answer Return Call to Duty in Iraq

Walsh, who manages technology systems for an Air Force office in Northern Virginia, helped set up a secure electronic network, coordinated intelligence activities and relayed information to the Army about possible threats.

In a war zone, Walsh noted, federal employees can be called upon to work outside their areas of expertise. During the battle of Fallujah, he helped out at a military clinic because medics were overworked and needed extra hands to care for wounded troops.

To some degree, Walsh said, he may feel more attuned to the military than other federal civilians because he once served in the Kansas Army National Guard and because his father was a career officer. He is not married.

Needham said she found last year's stint in Baghdad's Green Zone to be "a rewarding experience." In her second week there, she said "I decided I can do this," and signaled her intent to volunteer for this year's tour.

She will supervise seven auditors and will be in charge of auditing at two locations. Her team will review some of the Defense Department's financial management practices and look at internal controls on spending.

From her first stay in Baghdad, Needham learned that living and working accommodations cannot be taken for granted, especially when electrical generators shut down. "Everything is more difficult in Iraq, and things don't work all the time," she said.

Like Walsh, she comes from a family with ties to the armed forces. Her father served in World War II and headed an American Legion post when she was growing up. She has four children and 13 grandchildren and is divorced.

Asked how her family reacted to her plans for a year in Iraq, Needham quipped that her announcement was met with "stunned silence," much the way her family responded when she bought a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

The family's surprise over her decision to go back quickly turned to pride, Needham said. "My family very strongly supports the troops over there."