Nevada National Guard reservist Sgt. Ron Portillo of Henderson believed that his weekend warrior status would keep him from being deployed to Iraq. After all, he was not considered an active duty officer. He believed he was free to start a business with his wife and, having already served during one tour of Iraq, the 40-year-old father of six also believed that he was safe. He was wrong.

Portillo, a Special Forces operative and career military serviceman, was deployed for his second tour of Iraq in late December.