Miller, Charles, SGT

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
My father was in the Army. I was born on Ft Leonard Wood, MO. He was a 1stLT, and his name is Donald James Miller. He was a Company Commander in a E.O.D. unit. After he left active duty, he moved to Las Vegas and joined the Nevada Army National Guard and was promoted to Captain and became a Company Commander of the old "L" Troop 1st Cav. 1/221 Armor. I moved to Las Vegas when I was 15 years old. Of course growing up with an Army officer he was a hard ass. I joined the 1/221st Armor Division when I was 16 on September 26, 1986. I was starting on my future at an early age. When most kids where partying, I was doing push-ups, and running every day. I served during the Gulf War. I was activated and deployed during the Rodney King Riots. I was recruited into the 1st Special Operations Unit started up by the Nevada Guard. (CDTF) unit "Drug Interdiction", which back then, the unit was highly classified. I went on several live missions. I had some good times in the Army and some rough times in the Army. Like the suicide of my best friend, who recruited me; Army Scout Charles E. Jorgehnson, Specialist/E4 on July 3,1993.

After I got out of the service I went into Masonry construction. Everybody who knew me still called me "Doc". I went on to be a Master Mason for the past 16 years, until the economy hit me and I've been out of work for the past 6 months. But the one thing the Army taught me was, 'to survive', and that's that.

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 became a medic, because it interested me. In A.I.T., half my class where Green Berets, and I became friends with them. I knew I would go into special operations, or law enforcement some where in my career. Or go into the medical field. I graduated top of my class C co. 232. I went into construction because I like to build things. I stone veneered and, brick veneered half of Las Vegas. I learned the trade from masters 40+ yrs in the business, and became a master myself and a Licensed Contractor.

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?
(CDTF) Unit 1993 Special Ops. Classified till this day. Rodney King Riots, Team 5 72nd Military Police Co. (Team medic) 1992. Served during the Gulf War, 1990-1991.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The camaraderie with my fellow Soldiers stands out. You'll never meet a greater group of men and women in the civilian world, like you have in the military. We took care of our own.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
No. I was just doing my job. The mission was everything.

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?
All of them, but being promoted to Sergeant, was the best day of my life.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
1st Lt Franklin D. Schubert, he started his career as an Enlisted Man, and he was always one of the guys. He was a good friend, and I respected him as an Officer.

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?
We were on a Live Fire Range at Ft Irwin, CA and we had some down time. Our Platoon Sergeant, SFC Anthony Fahey went into the latrine, and we duct taped the door shut on him. The poor guy was trying to get out and we took a picture of it. I still have the picture of it till this day. I'll post it when I have more time. It was funny as hell!

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?
I went into Masonry Construction, for the past sixteen years, and I'm a former Licensed Masonry Contractor in Las Vegas, NV.

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?
My military service, especially joining at such a young age. It has taught me discipline, honor and doing the right thing. This has helped me as far as my work ethic, and being a leader, in anything that I choose to do. I can basically adapt to any environment if need be.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
Stay safe brothers and sisters, everyone back home thinks about you guys everyday. Don't listen to anything but your heart.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
It shows me the camaraderie is still there. God Bless! Former Sgt.E/5 Charles "Doc" Miller.



DMR
CJH