Comer, Doug, SGT

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
I had a child on the way and wanted more money.

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 in the Reserves as a 51B (Sep 1991). After my 1st divorce was finalized, I went active duty as a 13B (Mar 1995). In Oct 2001, I reclassified to 63S.

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?
I was in AIT when Desert Storm ended. I came back stateside from Korea, and broke my wrist during my stabilization. By the time I got my cast off, my unit was redeploying. July 2004, I incurred a permanent neck injury, which caused me to get MEB'd. My unit deployed that Dec. I never made it over there.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
My best duty station was Suwon, 1/43 ADA, and the chance to experience a different culture. My least favorite was when I went to Ft. Sill for 13B school. I was a holdover for 2 months, waiting on my records to catch up.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
When I was in Panama, a black Tarantula was in a mummy bag. The soldier drove it out with a piece of electrical conduit. He was teasing it. I was the only on in camp that spoke Spanish. One of the natives told me that that spider could jump about 10 feet and if it bites you, you'll die. I translated, and the soldier killed the spider. every time it twitched, he'd hit it again.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
The one that sticks out is my ARCOM. When I got to Ft Hood, 1/14 FA 2 AD, they were turning in the M109A5's and old ammo carriers. By the time we got the Paladins and FAASV's, we had reflagged to 3/16 FA 4 ID, Force 21. I started out as a Paladin driver while we were fielding them. During that time, I learned all the positions of the crew, including Section Chief's duties. By the time I left the section, I was the Gunner. By then I knew everything about the gun and cat.

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?
Humanitarian- I believe we had a significant roll in fighting the Burgdorf wildland fires in Idaho, 2000.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
SFC Kukowski- He was my Senior DI at Ft. Jackson and wound up being my Motor Sergeant in Korea. He guided me in the right direction to become proficient at my job.

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?
I had a section chief that would loose his temper and, instead of taking responsibility for his actions, he would blame it on the Devil.

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?
After I got back home (Colorado), I got a job as a contractor on Ft. Carson as a wheel mechanic. After a little over 2 years of doing that, I realized I was hurting my body. Since then, I've been learning my limitations. I'm getting ready to go back to school and change my career, again.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I have been a member of the VFW since 2006.

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?
I know that just because I can't physically work on big trucks anymore doesn't mean I can't be useful in another field. I reclassified twice in the Army....

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
Listen to your NCO's and stay alive.

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

TWS and the US Army

It's helped me transition to being a Civilian, again, by allowing me to remember my time in the Army and dealing with the not so good memories.

*J*