Charnley, James, SFC

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
My dad was influential in my enlisting. I also didn't want to be drafted because I wanted to choose my career. So I chose the Corp of Engineers as a refrigerating and heating specialist. Of course one thing led to another and decided to make a career out of the Army. And of course the rest is history.

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?
My service career path led me to the Corp of Engineers. I trained as a Refrigeration Specialist (51R20).

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 never made it to Vietnam. My wife became deathly ill and the Army sent us to the desert at Ft Irwin, CA where I worked at the Gold Stone Tracking Station as a Refrig Specialist.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
My fondest memory is at Ft Huachuca, AZ. I was assigned there in 1984 as the NCOIC of Engineering and Housing, or Post Engineers. At this point of my career I had developed into a professional engineer managing over 200 civilian personal and 10 military. I had the privilege to work with contractors of GE in deploying the new border watch dog called Sour Ball. This was a combined effort of General Electric and the Justice Department of the US in cracking down on illegal border crossing and drug smuggling.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
From my entire service career the memory that stands out would be my retirement parade. I was the only person Officer or Enlisted ever to have the post commander attend. Lieutenant General on down. This was by far the best retirement ever.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
As I said earlier, I never made it to war, so all my medals are for exceptional meritorious 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 Meritorious Service medal. I had worked exceptionally hard for this honor. I helped our Roads and Ground Div extend the air field runway to accommodate large aircraft. I initiated the Post Self Help Program and I coordinated Engineering projects for the NG and Reserve.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
COL Roy Stoneceipher. He had a great respect for the NCO Corps and knew that we were well trained and educated to handle any thing that an officer could handle. By that, I became a better Soldier.

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 my service career ended, I continued in the technical aspect of my MOS, such as maintenance for industry and commercial, with management and supervisory levels. Today I am full retired.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I have not joined any organizations other than NRA.

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 gave me leadership skills, great work ethics, camaraderie and made me a well rounded individual.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
Making the military a career is the way to go it will help you grow and give you a sense of purpose. You and your family will be taken care of, and at the end of your career you would have gained a tremendous amount on knowledge.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
It gives me a sense of belonging, because military helps military. Togetherweserved.com is there to keep the military bond alive and well.

*