Breese, William, SFC

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
I joined the military for a variety of reasons; to serve my country as many of my family members had done, so when I saw that I could get a tour in Europe guaranteed, I decided to sign up, after all it was just 4 years. But during that our, I found out that I liked the military lifestyle, so I signed up again. Then, the decision before me, if I am going to go over the 10 year mark, I'm going to do at least 20.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I started out at Fort Sill for OSUT Training, graduating with an MOS 0f 15E, Pershing Missile Crew Member. I served two tours in Germany, the first at Heilbronn, B 3/84 FA and the second tour was with HHB 56th FA CMD in Schwaebsich Gmuend. The Berlin Wall came down with the signing of the INF Treaty; I was retrained in the MOS 13M, which made me eligible for assignments in Korea. My first assignment to the ROK was through "The Turtle Farm" located on camp Casey to Camp Essayons. Another tour on Fort Sill, got picked up on the E-7 promotion list and immediately after graduating from ANCOC, I was again reassigned to Korea, serving briefly at Essayons, but moved to Camp Stanley when 3 units switched their locations around. I then returned stateside where I served in 2-18 FA until such time that we deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, being part of the initial invasion force when the war began. After this tour, I came back stateside, dug my retirement paperwork out of my desk and left active duty.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
Yes, we provided suppression fires to the 101st as they maneuver throughout Iraq.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Fort Sill. On my first permanent duty station assignment at Fort Sill, I went to school at night, received my MBA, graduating with Honor, learned the game of rugby, playing with the post rugby team, met my wife and we are still together 24 years later still going strong. Korea, Camp Stanley and the AHA. It was a good 15-20 minute walk from our barracks/motor pool and was constructed inside a mountain. You would hear stories about "ghosts" and would hear strange sounds/noises in the tunnel when you were up there working by yourself. Iraq, Camp Dogwood, because we came back with everyone that we deployed to theater with, suffering only minor injuries while deployed.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The feeling I got from serving my country in both peacetime and in war.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
No, nothing awarded for Bravery under fire, etc.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
My MSM. This award was in the works when were readying to go to Iraq for the service that I had given my last ten years of my Army career, but was set aside and rewritten as a lower award at the direction of my LTC; sort of a "Enlisted get these awards, officers get these awards" type thing. The Brigade Commander rewrote it himself and I was not even aware of it until a couple of years later (as I retired just after returning stateside from Iraq) when I received a DD 215 for correction of my military record/awards. Thank You COL. Schneider, 212th FA BDE!!

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
I would have to say that there were two people that directly affected me and my military career.

1. Bill Holloway, a friend that I met at my last job before entering the military who showed me both the simplicity and brilliance of decision making using the Ben Franklin method.

2. CPT Dennis Sydloski, B 3-84 FA, because through his dedication to the mission and he again reaffirmed that you should treat everyone you come into contact with the way that you would like to be treated.

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
When the 1SG was ending formation and calling everyone to attention, I was in front of my platoon and I would swing my leg (unknowingly) a certain way when coming to attention. One formation, the lower enlisted all got together and said "let's all do it when we come to attention". I didn't think it was funny at that particular moment, but it does make me smile.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
Initially, I went overseas as a civilian contractor supporting our soldiers and airmen deployed throughout Iraq and Kuwait. Now I serve as a Veterans Representative at a the Kay County Employment Office located in Ponca City, Oklahoma where I assist Veterans in their job search efforts and ensuring that they know that they are eligible for benefits form the VA. Sort of like an information broker, assisting folks in obtaining their military records, etc. I may not have all the answers, but I know who to call.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
American Legion Post # 91 Wyoming, Illinois; VFW Post # 2025, Stillwater, Oklahoma; The VFW Service officer assisted me in filing/following up on my VA claims. We perform several ceremonies throughout the year honoring the fallen and bringing attention to Veterans.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
Discipline is now a firm part of my everyday life.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
To continue doing what they are doing for as long as they can, for me, when I could no longer say that I loved my job and was having fun, it's time to go.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

TWS and the US Army

It reminds me of days gone by when I see my unit crests and affiliations and has given me a chance to re-connect with people from my past.

DS 4/4/17