DOWAGIAC — Another National Guard unit is back in uniform and reporting for duty.

Members of the 126th Cavalry in Dowagiac will be leaving for training at Fort Hood, Texas Sunday. Then it's on to Iraq for a year-long deployment.

Most of them have been stationed within the United States since 9/11. But this is the first deployment to Iraq for most.

They say they don't know what to expect, so they have to be prepared for anything.

Friday, they made a few last minute gear checks to make sure they can tackle any mission. Their mission will involve route security and checkpoint security.

"It's hectic. It's good your mind is preoccupied with what you have to do, not with having to leave your family for a year," said Lt. Greg Pienik, the commander of Troop C, 1st Squadron, 126th Cavalry.

A lot could change for the 70 men over the next year, including how long they're back in uniform serving.

"It all depends on what happens in November 2008 and who becomes the next president and what the situation is over there," said SFC Greg Reedy.

Despite the outcome of the upcoming New Hampshire primary and the race itself, one thing is certain: "It doesn't matter who's president or what party is in power. We are going to do what we are told to do," said SFC Reedy.

Even when the final paperwork involves naming a beneficiary, the men just have to look outside to get a reminder of how dangerous their job is. There's a memorial with a list of men who’ve died in the line of duty, a list they don’t want to add to.

"My goal as a commander is to bring back 100 percent of my troops alive. That's my personal goal," said Lt. Pienik.

Each man has a goal and a reason to serve.

"When you ask if I'm going to make a big difference, I hope so," said Pienik.

The unit has undergone individual task training since May. They will have their send-off ceremony this Sunday at Union High School in Dowagiac before heading to Fort Hood. That's where they will train as a group for a few months before deploying to Iraq.