PREFACE: I apologize for not keeping up with this blog during the last several months. We all have had and continue to endure a very difficult time; something that none of us have ever seen in our lifespan. As I have adjusted to a new way living, I have decided to begin writing this blog again. Over the next year, I plan to keep up with this blog as not just an update on my life adventures, but as a way for those planning on transitioning out of the military to see how I'm doing it - maybe right, wrong or indifferent; regardless a way. Hope you enjoy what this next year has to offer.....
After an academically challenging Freshman year at the University of Arizona, and a summer working at Adler Public Affairs in Long Beach, California, along with a part-time position as an Usher at Dodger Stadium, I decided to join the military. This enlistment would allow me to refocus myself and to move forward with my academic and career goals, along the way gaining lifelong skills and self discipline.(Note: I wrote a letter to my close family and friends explaining my decision....if anyone still has it, please let me know.)
A week before I departed for Basic Combat Training, I had stopped working at both Adler Public Affairs and Dodger Stadium. Working both jobs, especially after a very long Dodgers homestand, commencing with a loss to the San Francisco Giants, didn't allow for much time with friends and family before departing. This time off allowed me to get into the right mindset and spend time with family and friends before embarking on what I thought would be a four-year adventure.
Those four-years took me across the United States and Overseas. I completed my Basic Combat Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort McClellan, Alabama, earning the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) - 54B, Chemical Operations Specialist.
Upon completion of BCT and AIT, I received orders to Fort Lewis, Washington where I remained for two and a half years, until relocating to South Korea for which I thought would be my final year in the Army.
Once I arrived in Korea, I began to prepare myself to transition out of the Army, go back to school and begin my life outside of the Army.....until that horrid Tuesday evening (Korean Standard Time), September 11, 2001. At approximately 10:00pm KST, already in my barracks room bed, I hear one of the Sergeants from my company banging on all the barracks doors, yelling and telling us to come to the Day Room (a community room on our barracks floor with couches and televisions). He's telling us that a plane crashed into the World Trade Center in New York, and as we watch the Korean news not understanding because of the language barrier, we witness the second plane hit the second tower. As we sat in awe, the air raid sirens begin to alarm on our small military base, which housed the 2nd Infantry Division Commanding General, Major General Russel Honore. From our Day Room window, you could see his house across the street, and watched as his entourage prepared him for what would come next.
My Company's First Sergeant met us in the Day Room, and instructed the company to immediately go to the Company Headquarters with all of our battle gear, which included our helmet and body armor. I had actually just received my gear earlier that day, and had not put it together yet, so I grab my entire duffle bag with all the contents, got in uniform and ran to the company.
My heart was racing as I begin to see military helicopters flying over our base and Infantrymen armed with their weapons in their battle gear securing the perimeter. I didn't know what was happening; initial thoughts were that the North Koreans were about to invade South Korea, and since I was stationed less than 30-miles from the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), I was merely a speed bump as they moved south to Seoul.
The North Korean invasion was not the case, and as we all know - this began an enduring fight against global terrorism. As the days continued; as we analyzed the losses; and as we began to respond - I knew this was no longer the time to get out of the Army.
It may sound cliché, but in a time of need, I couldn't leave the Army right away. I needed to be apart of something bigger than myself - I needed to do my part to keep us safe. I reenlisted for another four years which took me to Hawaii to be a member of the 25th Infantry Division where I deployed twice with two amazing Infantry Battalions (2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment "Bobcats" and 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment "Wolfhounds") and reenlisting another two times to stay in the military for a career.
As I celebrate my 22-years in the United States Army, I look forward to this final year before I take off my boots and hang-up my uniform, helmet and body armor for the final time. I look back at these two decades of experiences, friends, and family bonds, and do not regret my decision to remain a Soldier.
I can look back at these last twenty-two years of my life and proudly say I did my part to help keep the United States and the World safe. As I did when I was a 19-year-old pimple-faced kid, stepping in the boots of generations of Soldiers before me, like my Father - it's now time for me to step aside and allow the new generation of Soldiers to continue and improve upon what has been left for them in the fight to continue keeping us safe!
Over this next year, I'll be sharing some of the stories that have shaped my military career and made me the individual that I am today. I hope you enjoy reading about them, as much as I will enjoy reminiscing with you all.
Be Safe and Spread Some Aloha!
Conducting my Oath of Enlistment at the Los Angeles MEPS (Top)
I'm joined with my Officiating Officer and my Dad
after conducting my Oath of Enlistment (Below)
Awesome article brother!
ReplyDeleteAwesome article brother!
ReplyDeleteM Nelson..
Awesome article brother!
ReplyDeleteM Nelson..