Carlson, Charlie, III, SSG

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
I was born at Fort Bragg, NC and spent my entire life around the US Army. I watched my father rise through the ranks from SSG to CSM. He taught me all ever needed to know about the US Army. He didn't push me into the military but rather encouraged me to make the right choice. I feel that joining the US Army was the right choice. My family has a legacy of US Army combat veterans without missing a generation: My great grandfather was in the Swedish Army in the 1800's, my grandfather served in WW II, then my father in Vietnam, and then me in the Gulf War and Iraq. It is truly an honor to have a decision "influencer" such as my father.

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 Police from soldier to squad leader. I also chose the operational career path from MP to CID Special Agent then back to MP as a squad leader to get some troop time. I have been a patrol supervisor on several different installations in three different countries.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The day I was promoted to SGT. That was the day I became an NCO. PLDC only prepared me to become an NCO. Putting on those stripes meant putting on the responsibility. At first I did not think I could do it but it all came pretty easy and I look forward to leading and taking care of soldiers. It is what NCO's do and I love every second of it.

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?
I think the most meaningful medal I have earned would be the Southwest Asia Campaign medal. It signifies my first combat experience.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Drill Sergeant Gentry. I thought the Senior Drill Sergeant was going to be the meanest one in the bunch of "round and browns" but Drill Sergeant Gentry stood out as the scariest. Overall I came to understand why he was "mean". He wanted to put stress on us so that we would be conditioned in times of combat.

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 got into law enforcement and became director of security for a large level one trauma hospital. I then became an insurance agent specializing in health and life insurance. I am now going into the National Guard as an MP and continuing on as a recruiter and then retire.

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 look at the world a bit different than civilians that never served. I don't put myself above them but rather know that I have done so much more that they are thankful of. I have gained tremendous discipline and a very unique work ethic that is not found in the corporate world.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
Don't just come into the military for a quick hitch to get college. Give your career a life because it is giving you a life beyond belief. While you are away from home think about the ones you knew who never saw the world that you are seeing. The camaraderie is tremendous in the military. I have not seen anything similar in the civilian world.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
I get to see the other MP's I served with in other units and what they are doing now. I could never find one fellow MP but through TWS I found her. I am sure there are many more to follow.

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