Charles, Jerry, CPT

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
My Father (Korean War Veteran), Uncles (WWII Veterans), Great-uncles (WWII Veterans) and Cousins (Vietnam War Veteran). Seeing the long history of Warriors in my tribe that served in the Military. served from two to twenty years they did. My father always said twenty and out and you will retire young. I took his words to heart and join after high school and stayed twenty years. There is one other person that stands out in my mind that inspired me, he was an actor, Vic Morrow on "Combat" in the 60's. The way he treated his soldiers with respect; they were not just friends; they were a family. To see all the medals and awards that all those that came home to visit had on their uniform made me think which ones would I receive if I served.

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 joined in 1975 went to Fort Ord, CA for Basic Training, Fort Gordon GA for Commo School (05C), made PFC for making 100% on everything. Assigned to HHB DIVARTY Fort Riley KS first duty station and made Spec4 within the first year in. By the end of my second year I was wearing Acting Jack Stripes.

Re-enlisting for 5 more years and stayed one more year at Ft Riley KS I then got orders for HHB3-35 FA Peden Barracks, Weritheim, Germany for three years. got my secondary MOS as 63B and attended a advance training for 05C. Assigned to Fort Polk, LA for my last year. I then got out and went to college. Went back and joined the Army Reserve 84th Training Div, Milwaukee, WI. Transferred to the Army National Guard WI in the 57th FA BDE. Assigned as unit clerk then went to OCS at Camp Douglas/ Camp Williams WI. first assignment as 2LT was with the HHB 1-121 FA Whitefish Bay, WA. Then went to Washington Natl. Guard HHB 2-142 for a year and went to "Team Spirit 89" Korea with them. I them transferred back to the "Iron Bde" 57th FA BDE in WI and assigned to HHB 1-121 FA as Platoon Leader, making 1st LT. I then headed up to the BDE HQ as their Detachment Commander for a few years. after making Captain I was assigned to the LNO position and stayed there until I retired.

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?
No, I was never in combat. The training that I put myself through I know set me ready for what ever would come up if I did.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The POW training at Fort Riley KS that sticks to me the most. It has changed me and my thoughts of life. I have lost one year of life after that training. I encourage everyone to get counseling and therapy for what bothers them. I did and continue in my native culture and traditional ways.

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?
National Defense, for defending this world from all those that hate the lives of others.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
A Major who was my boss and my mentor. The way he lead his Soldiers and counseled them. When I retired and talked to him I told him he was my mentor on the way I wanted to be. The BE, KNOW, DO leader he was and so was I. He inspired me to be the best Field Artillery Officer that I could be. I did and I received the Saint Barbara Medal.

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?
Oh yeah. OCS running in the woods and getting ready to hit the water, I took off my glasses and put them in my hand before I hit. Well guess what? I lost them in the water. It took the entire Class on hands and knees all lined up in the water feeling for them. About 20 minutes later someone came up with them. LOL

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 started searching for a job 6 years before retiring. I found out that Home Inspectors were needed at home. I took a Home Inspection Course. Now I do Home Inspections and help in Construction of new homes for my Tribal Housing Authority. The other thing that I am Involved with is the Veterans Community. I am Involved with Native Indian Veteran Groups and Veteran groups listed on my page. I am or have been commander of the American Legion and III District Vice Commander and hopefully III Dist Commander this years 2011. Commander of my Tribal veterans Group, President of the Newly Chartered AMRA in my home town. Board member and Chairman/Co-Chairman in some of the other groups. I have started the partnership between the VA and my tribe to do Veterans Health care out of the Tribal Clinic. I am involved with a lot of the Community Programs that my groups provide. I love what I do for my community. I bring them my Military Leadership Skills and use them well and wisely.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I belong to about 10 different groups and seeing what each of them bring to the community and how they are all tied together in what they do for the community. Networking is key in what we do for the Veterans and Retirees.I have become a Veteran/ Retiree leader in my community and when there are meeting on specific topics they come calling and looking for me to talk.

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?
Goal setting in the near and far plan. The best phrase that I use and teach is "Failure to prepare. Prepare to Fail". Being proactive is hard to do in the Civilian life. They don't think in that manner.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
Call home as often as you can and see what is going on in your area. Don't forget the Veterans groups, there are full time jobs there too. Get involved in the Veteran Groups. Help make a difference and change in what is needed for all.

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

TWS and The US Army

I have made contact with guys I haven't seen in years. Good to see what others are doing now too. Most of my friends are joining the same groups and being involved.

*