Unit: Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Combined Arms Support Command
Time in service: five years
Age: 27
Hometown: Howard, Ohio
Military Occupational Specialty: 42A human resources specialist. These Army professionals “play a crucial role assisting fellow Soldiers,” according to www.goarmy.com. They provide promotion and future training information, and ensure the necessary support is provided to commanders across all branches. Human resources specialists are trained in document preparation, drafting personnel action requests and overseeing official documentation. They also learn computer programs that keep personnel data up to date.
Why he joined the Army: “I joined because I have two younger brothers (Cole and Christopher) who enlisted before I did, so they were kind of my motivators. Once I saw them in uniform, I was like, ‘Yeah, I want to do this.’”
Why he continues to serve: “I love my job, I love what I do and I love taking care of Soldiers. Also, being part of the camaraderie means a lot to me.”
How the Army has helped him develop as a person: “I’ve never been a people-person. I was always the shy, quiet one. I think being in the military has opened me up to better communicating with others.”
His most memorable tour: “Alaska was the most beautiful state I’ve been to. I absolutely miss it. I would go back in a heartbeat. There were lots to do. Going outside my front door and seeing the Northern Lights was breathtaking. … I loved that part about living there.”
One unforgettable moment: “Doing physical training in Alaska. I’ll never forget. It was negative degrees outdoors, and we had a two-and-a-half--mile run. We came back and my mask and face were all frosted and my eyelashes were icy. I had to go inside and have my face defrosted (laugh).”
His greatest challenge as a Soldier: “Deploying and being away from my family for Operation Inherent Resolve (2019, while assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division). I had my son that June and deployed three months afterward. It was just the fact of leaving my wife in Alaska by herself, raising a new baby with no family around. That was difficult for me. In the end, it all worked out.”
Future goals: “Professionally, I want to become a warrant officer; getting my degree would be absolutely beneficial. Personally, I just want to take care of my family and make sure they’re happy.”
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