JACKSONVILLE, ILL. (AP) -- When Jim Watson lands in Iraq in February, he won't be simply a staff sergeant in the Marine Reserves.

He'll also be just one of five state legislators on military duty in Iraq.

Watson is a Republican member of the Illinois House. He lives in the central Illinois town of Jacksonville, where he has spent the past few weeks getting ready to leave.

He's updated his will, packed his duffel bags and said goodbye to friends. He's also had to figure out how to raise campaign dollars and arrange for other lawmakers to watch over his district.

Watson will miss his son's 14th birthday and his youngest daughter's tumbling meets. He'll also miss the spring legislative session, leaving his district without a vote in the House.

The 42-year-old lawmaker served in the first Gulf War.

He decided last year to return to active duty as he watched his old unit being sent to Iraq three times, losing two Marines in the process.

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