Anderson, Robert, Sr., SFC

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHAT INFLUENCED HIS/HER DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY?
I had been in and out of Foster Homes, Group Homes and various other facilities coming up with no real sense of direction. I fell behind in school and had to complete high school through an alternative Adult School (Metropolitan Adult Education Program) in San Jose, California to be able to graduate on time. Previously, a friend of mine had joined the Navy and had been trying to get me to join so he would be able to come in at an accelerated rank. I ended up joining the Navy first and coincidentally my friend couldn't pass the ASVAB test so he never ended up joining. The reality is that I was a scared young man getting ready to turn eighteen who had no idea of what I was going to do to support myself and the military was initially a means to an end.

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH HE/SHE TOOK IN HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE. WHERE DID THEY GO FOR BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES OR SQUADRONS WERE THEY ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS HIS/HER REASON FOR LEAVING?
Originally I was an undesignated Airman who completed an on the job training track enabling me to become a Jet Mechanic. I went to Navy Boot Camp, Airman Apprentice Training thereafter, both in San Diego, California. After training I was forward deployed to Japan where I was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 195 (Dambusters) where we were attached to the USS Midway and cross decked to the USS Independence where I participated in Operation Desert Storm and was part of the establishment of Operation Southern Watch. Upon returning to Japan after several deployments in support of Middle Eastern conflict and other Naval Operations it was time to either re-enlist or get out of the Navy.

I elected to get out and go into the Navy Reserve where I was assigned to NAVAIR RES in Alameda California and attached to my third Aircraft Carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln. After a short while in the Navy Reserves I did a conditional release and joined the Air Force Reserve where I was assigned to the 349th Component Repair Squadron at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California. I was a C-5 Galaxy Crew Chief while in the Air Force. Still being young, and like many of us not able to make up my mind what I truly wanted to be in life, I left the Air Force Reserve and joined the California Army National Guard as a 75B Personnel Records Administration Specialist which is now 42 series. On 22 April 1994 I left the California Army National Guard to become an active duty Army Medical Specialist (Combat Medic). I attend Army Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri and Advanced Individualized Training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas where upon graduation I was assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Upon reporting to Fort Bragg I was assigned to the 44th Medical Brigade (ABN) where I deployed with the 55th Medical Group to Haiti in support of Operation Uphold Democracy only a month after arriving.

Upon returning to Fort Bragg, I was sent to Airborne School and re-assigned to the 261st Area Support Medical Battalion (ABN) as an Emergency Medical Treatment NCO on Airborne status. After completing multiple combat training exercises, deploying multiple times, drop zone coverage and many field problems I was re-assigned to the 28th Combat Support Hospital (ABN), also at Fort Bragg. There I was assigned as a Squad Leader to the Bravo Company Emergency Medical Treatment Platoon. In 1997 I re-enlisted for Fort Lewis in Washington State. Upon arriving at Fort Lewis I was re-assigned to the 62D Medical Group. After passing a rigorous background screening and meeting all of the stringent requirements I was accepted to become a member of the 250th Forward Surgical Team (ABN). In 1998 I attended the Advanced Leaders Course at Fort Sam Houston's Non-commissioned Officers Academy for four plus months. Upon completion of the Advanced Leaders Course and return to Fort Lewis, the 62D Medical Group Command Sergeant Major selected me to represent the Command as a Small Group Leader at the Warrior Leaders Course. After going through the Total Army Instructor Trainers Course and the Small Group Leader Instructor Trainers Course I was assigned to a Platoon and certified through the Sergeant's Major Academy as a Warrior Leaders Course Small Group Leader. In 2000, after re-enlisting once again I was re-assigned to Fort Detrick in Frederick, Maryland.

After less than two years as an Operations NCO and Combat Emergency Treatment NCO I was selected by the Department of the Army to attend Drill Sergeant School. Upon completion of Drill Sergeant School and standing up the first Fort Detrick Sergeant Audie Murphy Club I was reassigned to Fort Sam Houston where I served as a Drill Sergeant winning the Drill Sergeant of the Quarter only one month after arriving as well as many other earned accolades while on the Trail. After completing a successful tour as a Drill Sergeant in 2005 I was re-assigned and selected to serve as the Fort Richardson, Alaska Medical Company First sergeant and later a Senior Operations NCO at Fort Wainwright. In 2008 after completing my tour in Alaska I was once again re-assigned to Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Upon re-assignment I was assigned as a Senior Instructor/Writer and later a Quality Assurance NCO assigned to the General's Special Staff culminating my military career as a Senior Enlisted Adviser who currently is retiring after the completion of my third medical evaluation board at twenty years of service. There's the brief version of my military career!

IF HE/SHE PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE YOU FEEL WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO HIM/HER AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
Operation Desert Storm, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Violent Blitz, Operation Uphold Democracy, Operation Purple Star, Operation Royal Dragon, Operation Iraqi Freedom One. And than some! Every one is significant!!!

OF ALL THEIR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY HE/SHE HAD FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS THEIR LEAST FAVORITE?
Fort Richardson, my baby girl was born there, and Fort Bragg because there is nothing better than being a United States Army Paratrooper! Japan! Anyone who's been there will know.

FROM THEIR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY PERSONAL MEMORIES, YOU MAY BE AWARE OF, WHICH IMPACTED HIM/HER THE MOST.
Retirement! I never wanted to let it go as there is nothing better than serving this great country and my fellow military brethren who are willing to put it all on the line so others may sleep well and have the freedoms we have as Americans!

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES HE/SHE RECEIVED, WHICH WERE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO HIM/HER AND WHY?
My United States Army Drill Sergeant Identification Badge: This badge is the most covenant and meaningful badge of them all and is held in the highest regard by all Soldiers past and present!

IF THEY WERE HERE TODAY, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU THINK HE OR SHE WOULD GIVE TO THOSE WHO FOLLOWED IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS AND RECENTLY ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE?
Stop whining, do what you are told and be a sponge that is willing to soak up as much knowledge as you can. Be proud and stand tall knowing that you are a member of the finest fighting force in the world!

HOW EFFECTIVE HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM BEEN IN HELPING YOU RECORD YOUR REMEMBERED PERSONS MILITARY SERVICE? DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE?

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DS 3/9/17