The Missouri Army National Guard’s 1,000 citizen/soldiers are settling into their one-year Kosovo mission and finding a few surprises.

“It is a real shocker on how big American influences have taken to the people,” said Spc. Kendall McDaniel, who drills in Trenton, Mo. “Especially the children.”

The American language, music and even politics seem to rub off on locals. Also, the youth look up to American soldiers and love to shake hands, said Spc. Marvin Cody Barry, who lives in Maryville, Mo.

“We enjoy talking to the kids, playing games and watching them imitate their favorite wrestling superstar,” Mr. McDaniel said.

Recently, soldiers started purchasing things such as candy, pencils and small toys to hand out, said Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Akins, who lives and drills in Albany, Mo. Soldiers get a good feeling when they can brighten a child’s day, Mr. Akins said.

Another surprise is how many of the kids truly like ready-to-eat meals, Mr. Barry said.

All of the men and women work shifts, said Lt. Glenn Lloyd, who drills in Joplin, Mo.

Many of the soldiers leave Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo to go out in five to seven man teams with an interpreter, Mr. Lloyd said.

Finding new roads in the rural area can be difficult. Many roads are no better than cow trails, Mr. Lloyd said.

On most shifts, the soldiers get a chance to talk to the people of different villages, ranging in size from two houses to 10,000 people, about security concerns.

The soldiers engage with the local population in everything from coffee to playing with local children, said Sgt. 1st Class Steven Adams, of Albany.

Soldiers often eat meals at the local restaurants and cafes. The local cuisine can be anything from a full dinner of kabobs to ice cream.

Some of the soldiers have interacted with Serbian soldiers while conducting joint patrols along the administrative boundary line, which separates Kosovo and Serbia. These patrols work to deter smuggling across the boundary.

Another unit watches over the patrols operating outside the base.

The primary operations soldiers are Pfc. Patrick Williams, who drills in Albany; Sgt. Kevin Ackley, who lives in Maryville, Mo.; Sgt. Brent Devers, who lives in Maryville; Sgt. Kimberly Ferguson, from Springfield, Mo.; and Sgt. Brian Roderick, who lives in Hopkins, Mo.

These soldiers track the movement of the soldiers on missions, said Sgt. 1st Class Rusty Preston, who lives in St. Joseph.

About 150 of the citizen/soldiers are from Northwest Missouri.

Marshall White can be reached

at marshall@npgco.com.