Bennett, Robert, SFC

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
I was looking at my future during my summer break between my Junior and Senior years in high school and decided to look at the military as an option. I went to the Recruiting Station and the only service present at the time was the US Navy and the Recruiter told me that I could not be a Master at Arms as a Seaman, I would have to work towards that as I made rank. After I left, the Army Recruiter office was the next office and they returned from some out calls and I stepped inside. Twelve days later I had completed all my paperwork, passed the ASVAB and had entered into the Delayed Enlistment Program.

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?
Military OSUT training at Ft. McClellan, AL to Airborne School and on to Ft. Bragg, NC. Many training rotations at places that end in TC and many school opportunities. Germany, Korea and Ft. Bragg as duty stations. After a 6 year break in service I re-entered into the US Army Reserve.

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 deployed to Iraq 2005-2006, Abu Ghraib; 2008, the Green Zone with MNSTC-I; Afghanistan 2010-2011 at Detention Facility in Parwan. My deployment in 2008 with MNSTC-I was my most rewarding. I traveled over much of Iraq and met many good people, many of which I still maintain a good friendship today.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
My most memorable experience was from 1996 to 1999 when I served as a Jumpmaster Instructor at the 82nd Airborne Division Advanced Airborne School. Upon completion of my tour I received the Meritorious Service Medal for my service.

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 most meaningful award/badge to me is the Master Parachutist Badge. I felt honored to have passed the Jumpmaster Course, and then to complete the requirements for the Master Parachutist Badge was a high moment of pride in my career.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Very tough question, as there are many Soldiers, NCOs and Officers that had an impact in my life, however the one that stands out the most would be SSG Michael Goodwin (now MSG Ret.), as we served together in both Germany and at the 82nd Airborne Division MP Co. First desk Sergeants together then him as my platoon sergeant. He taught me much about humor, the difference between on duty vs. off duty relationships and how to be and act as an NCO.

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?
Being in the Reserves I fulfill both. I went to work for Shell Oil Company as a refinery process operator. In the Reserves I am still a Military Police service member.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I am a member of the VFW, American Legion. IAVA and a Life Member of the 82nd Airborne Division Association. I get satisfaction that there are places I can go to relive the camaraderie that is only in the military service.

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?
The military service has kept my personal life in order as I keep it structured and know how to plan accordingly, and always make a contingency plan.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
Take pictures, let stuff roll off the back and enjoy your treasured time with those you serve. Years down the road memories will fade, the more treasured you make them, the more prominent they will be later in life.

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

TWS and the US Army

Wow, I have been able to connect with those long lost because of Togetherweserved. I love the idea that I can still find people I served with over 20 years ago and reconnect.

DS 12/1/2016