By Rabita Aziz (November 7, 2003) 

"I’m back. It’s like I never left," said school resource officer Steve Rau after his return to Falls Church following a nine-month deployment with the military that interrupted his job here at Mason and his family. He was recently released from his active duty assignment which he has been working on since he left Falls Church on January 24.

For the past nine months, Officer Rau has been stationed in various military posts in Virginia, as a part of his active duty with the Army Reserves. His responsibility was to train National Guard soldiers who are going to be stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan in what he called "common military tasks," such as how to put on protective masks, how to stop bleeding, how to treat burns, and how to clean weapons. "Most of the soldiers already knew how to do these things, but all soldiers need a review and need to be tested if they are going on active deployment," said Rau.

Asked how he felt now that he has returned, he answered, "I am extremely happy. I loved what I was doing. I loved training soldiers, but I’m glad to be back with the staff and students of George Mason." 

This was the first time, besides his regular, mandatory two-weeks training each year, that Officer Rau was actually activated for duty in his 15 years of military service. He was given very short notice about his new assignment. He was notified on January 23 that he was to report to Fort Lee on January 27.

While Rau was gone, Officer Paul Whitney was stationed at the school each day in addition to his other assignments for the police department. "I want to thank Officer Whitney for his great services while I was gone. He did a great job and I appreciate his time and efforts. I also want to thank the many students and George Mason staff members who supported me while I was gone with e-mails and notes," said Rau. "Friendships are very important and I have many friends here at Mason and I always had something to look forward to coming back to. It’s very important to have that," he added. 

Rau returned to a large "Welcome Home" cake in the faculty lounge and his door to his office had been decorated in celebration. "All I can say it, it’s great to be back at Mason. I’d rather work with you guys than have any other position in the department," said Rau.