FORT SILL, Okla. -- Addressing the concept of destiny, contemporary Japanese writer Haruki Murakami said, "Life is not like water. Things in life don't necessarily flow over the shortest possible route."
Not necessarily, but for Col. Mike Roberts, Dental Activity commander, perhaps it was predetermined he would lead the Fort Sill dental staff. If where he lives and works count toward that inevitable flow, his daily journeys add another level of bliss to a great job.
Roberts and his wife, Mitzi, live in post housing across the street from the dental headquarters in Sheridan Hall, and as rare as that happens, consider the name of the street he crosses to and fro.
"Wow, if there was ever anything ordained this would be it work in one building, then a street with our name in between, and on the other side, our house," said the Dental Activity commander, "all totally random and by chance."
Whether by chance, fate or just the roll of the dice, each day the colonel walks "55 steps" from his quarters crossing Roberts Avenue and on to the door of Sheridan Hall. Though no relation, the street honors the service and leadership of a World War II artillery officer.
Despite the post having many officers' quarters, the thought of living next door to work crossed the couple's minds. Prior to taking command, they visited in February 2012 and met his future staff.
Knowing they wanted to live on post, the couple shared a laugh as they left the headquarters building.
"Wouldn't it be funny if we got that house," said Mike, pointing to the one immediately across Roberts Avenue.
Returning in July for an early August change of command, they stopped at the housing office, but didn't receive a list of available houses, nor did they get keys to view any potential quarters.
Instead, a member of the housing office led them over to Academic Heights.
"We giggled again at the prospect of that particular house being the only one available," said Mike.
Sure enough, the housing worker pulled up in front of the home and showed the Roberts their lone choice for post housing.
His response: "That will work out just fine. By the way, that's my office next door."
Mitzi described a normal day in the couple's routine.
Their day starts a few minutes before 5 a.m. with coffee in their breakfast nook before heading to the gym to workout. They usually get to workout together two or three times a week. Then, they head back home around 7 a.m. to get ready for the day, eat breakfast and have another cup of coffee.
Though that may sound like a lot to get done prior to heading to work, most days Mike leaves at
7:25 a.m. and is in his office easily five minutes later.
It would seem destiny aligned Roberts' home life to coincide comfortably with his duties.
As for those responsibilities, the colonel calls this his dream job.
"It's like playing and winning the Super Bowl to be a DENTAC commander," he said.
Furthering the choice assignment ideal, in talking with the colonel, it became apparent what made it special reached far beyond simply the opportunity to command.
"This is the best military experience we've ever had with the community, the higher command, and my staff is the best DENTAC staff I've ever seen," said Roberts.
Roberts is certainly an affable officer and Mitzi's friendly nature is a perfect complement, traits appreciated by the staff.
Renee Chase, a civilian employee in the DENTAC staff, said the convenience of having Mitzi, the other half of their command team, nearby has been a tremendous morale boost.
"There was a joke in DENTAC at one time of who would set up the zipline from the patio over to the residence," said Chase, a patient safety expert and credential coordinator.
Preferring to live on post most of his career, the couple said that convenience is magnified here.
Quite often, Mitzi stops in for a brief visit, sometimes in between teaching classes for the Protestant Women of the Chapel or serving as a senior adviser to the Red Cross.
"If something pops up on the calendar, I can run over there, and we can sync our schedules," she said.
Quick stops work both ways, too.
She said her husband may drop by the house on his way to a meeting.
"I see my wife more now than at any time in my career," said Mike.
Chase added Mitzi is very involved with the family readiness group and will often stop by, sometimes with treats she baked.
Birthday celebrations and office luncheons are common for many commanders, but with a home a stone's throw away, Mitzi not only takes treats to the staff, she can also love on them in a personal way that means a lot to her.
"Our house has allowed me to have the headquarters staff over for lunch about quarterly," she said. "You're sharing a part of yourself; he has such a fantastic staff, and this is my way of saying thank you, that we appreciate them and how hard they work."
Getting out nice dishes instead of serving on paper plates is only half the story as Mitzi is also adept at stirring up tasty meals for her guests.
Most times though the guest list is only one.
"One of the greatest things is I have lunch at home almost every day," said Mike. "The increase in family time has been phenomenal."
Mitzi said she and her husband might view Fort Sill as the best tour they ever had.
"It has been personally so fulfilling, too, as we do really enjoy spending time together," she said.
Considering the other locations they were sent to, the couple has gathered several plum assignments. Works of art and other memorabilia and decorations in the home from Belgium, Italy and, perhaps, San Antonio, attesting to a great career.
However, the European tours included driving to get to work at increased fuel costs. Mike estimates he saves about $400 a month for gas alone. That's a huge contrast to his life here.
Wear-and-tear on his vehicles is generally lower, though an episode with his black Corvette suggests a different occasional problem.
If the car could talk, it might whine about how it feels neglected. Mike said one time he went out to start it and discovered a dead battery and flat tire, because it had been so long since he last drove it.
Sometimes duty demands extra hours, but even there, Mike said having his home right across the street is a tremendous boost.
"If I have to stay late, I can take a break, go home grab a sandwich and kiss my wife then come back and it not be a burden to return to work," he said.
He did note one minor drawback that a longer daily commute offers time to decompress after a difficult day.
"On the rare days I'm frustrated, overwhelmed or tired at work, I find it's better to just hang around the office. Even though I want to get out, go home and be with my wife, I'll stay late and unwind here," he said.
Most days, when weather is favorable, he walks home promptly after work and relaxes on the backyard patio. Though it's close to passersby, a barrier helps isolate the house.
Unique to the Academic Heights neighborhood, a thick, green hedge straddles their back fence.
Midway along its length, a gated sidewalk ducks down between the hedge offering access to a haven of sorts from the outside world.
"We like to sit in the backyard and often meet out there when I first get home," he said. "Often, there's a lot of traffic coming and going, and that little bit privacy is kind of nice."
With his time at Fort Sill drawing to a close, Mike said it will be difficult to leave the quality of life he and his wife have enjoyed here.
Though not as scenic as Vicenza, Italy, and without the opportunities to dine in Venice, the colonel spoke wistfully about his assignment here.
"I will never have this arrangement again. It's likely impossible as my next tour will probably be my last," he said. "For quality of life, this has been the best one."
Chase can attest to that quality of life for the staff, having worked for the command for about 10 years. During that time she has served under a few other commanders who were either single or didn't bring their spouses.
"It has really brought the headquarters group together like a family and also the whole unit," she said. "The Roberts have been wonderful; we're going to miss them greatly."
Knowing little about Fort Sill or Southwest Oklahoma, the Roberts took this tour because it placed them midway between their children in Texas and extended family in Kansas.
Call it destiny or just furthering a strong sense of community many find here. But, through new friendships formed with the DENTAC staff and customers, the Roberts have added family to what will already be remembered as a great assignment.
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