Students and faculty, at Purdue University, in West Lafayette, Indiana, came to know charismatic Staff Sgt. Brian Wignall as the recruiter with the “Vette.”
That’s where Wignall caught the attention of 20-year-old college student and Indiana native Ronnie Anderson Jr. in the early 1990s.
Anderson was working at an auto parts store where Wignall and his Corvette were regular sights.
“He frequented the store," Anderson said of Wignall, currently a Master Sgt. “I worked there part-time to help pay for college. There was this guy in an Army uniform driving a fancy sports car.”
Anderson was the first member of his family to attend college. Anderson said he was on the road to nowhere fast. Money was tight and because he admittedly lacked discipline, there never seemed to be enough time to fit in work, attend classes, and devote to his studies. Wignall saw that he could accelerate Anderson’s life and convinced him to enlist in the Army Reserve to help pay for college, serve his country, and gain additional life skills.
Once enlisted, Anderson asked a lot of questions and engaged his mentors and leaders.
"As a buck private, I had some reservations about the path I was on and the unit I was in,” Anderson said.
A non-commissioned officer in his unit happened to connect with him at just the right time, and because he saw a positive change and great potential, he convinced Anderson to stay in the Army and change his path. That NCO helped Anderson switch jobs mid-way through his initial enlistment to become an intelligence analyst, while continuing to pursue his education goals at Purdue.
“I was also inspired by reading General Schwarzkopf’s autobiography," Anderson said. "When he was discouraged by what was happening in the Army during the Vietnam War, Schwarzkopf was encouraged and inspired by a mentor to continue serving, to make a difference in the Army from within."
Anderson learned about the possibility of becoming a commissioned officer in the Army from Purdue’s Army Reserve Officer Training Corps unit and became a member. After a non-traditional path of attending a year of graduate school to complete his commissioning requirements, Anderson was commissioned as an ordnance officer in 1996.
On the eve of taking the helm as the next commander of the Joint Munitions Command, earlier this year – more than 30 years after enlisting and now an Army colonel – Anderson reflected on all the people who had made an impact on his life in the Army. Wignall was one of the people who came to the forefront of his mind.
“I reached out to all my mentors, non-commissioned officers, and officers, who had a significant influence on me throughout my career and invited them to my change of command," Anderson said.
Wignall was unable to attend the Change of Command ceremony in June, so a reunion took place recently at a recruiting station near Purdue, a location not far from where Wignall encouraged and processed Anderson to first join the Army.
"It’s so incredibly impressive that he has stayed in and made it to the level he has. I have tremendous respect for what Col. Anderson has been able to accomplish so far in his Army career," Wignall said. "He experienced what it’s like to be at the bottom of the rank structure in the Army which naturally helped develop him into an exponentially better leader now that he’s at the top.
"It’s so neat to realize that no matter what level we serve at, we can all positively influence those around us," Wignall added. "You never know whose life you might impact. As an Army recruiter, I was able to impact Col. Anderson’s life, but through his service, by extension, I’ve impacted many thousands of lives. I’m proud of him.”
Anderson said lifelong service was never a goal, but the path he was on likely did not include graduating college or meaningful contributions to society. But the discipline, confidence and drive he gained from his early experiences has led to many years of fulfillment, a family and what he hopes is a positive difference. He repeatedly thanked Wignall for opening the door to a better journey.
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