JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – “This one just hit right for me,” said Sgt. 1st Class Michael Campbell.
Campbell is a U.S. Army religious affairs specialist assigned to 7th Infantry Division who shared how a career in the Army has shaped his life.
“I chose this job because I was involved with the church I was attending and other various groups that dealt with Christian faith,” Campbell said. “And I was trying to decide between military and ministry, so I found a way to kind of combine them both with being a chaplain's assistant.”
“And here I am almost 20 years later.”
During his 20 years of service, Campbell has been all over the world, from Italy to Japan and South Korea. He also served in Iraq, where he lost one of his best friends, Sgt. Chadrick Omar Domino.
“I'll never forget him,” Campbell recalled. “He and another guy, Nesbitt, would always argue about who the best rapper is, who the best R&B is. I'd put my two cents in and say country's better, rock’s better, and just have fun and tease him. He became a pretty good friend.”
Sgt. Domino died at 23 years old from wounds suffered when he encountered enemy small arms fire while on dismounted patrol.
“Unfortunately, we lost him,” Campbell said. “I was good with every memorial except for that one. I was strong during it, but that night I was kind of a wreck. But his spirit lives on.”
Campbell and Domino formed a unique bond, one that can only be forged in combat.
“The deployment that we went on to Iraq, it's a brotherhood that I've never felt anywhere else,” Campbell said.
“I've deployed three times, been all over the world, stationed in various locations. But that one, that connection that we made on that deployment… Even though it was rough losing friends and what felt like family members, it's always with me,” said Campbell.
Campbell intends to continue his service past the typical 20-year retirement mark, which he will hit at the end of May of this year.
“I've been in the Army longer than I've been out,” Campbell said. “At 18, I got to live out my childhood dream of joining the military. So, my first dream, I'm still living it. It's kind of amazing to be able to do that.”
With his vast experience, Campbell has had a positive influence on those he works with, often helping them to see everything the Army has to offer.
“I met Sgt. 1st Class Campbell while stationed in South Korea in 2021,” said Sgt. Marcus Lee, who is also an Army religious affairs specialist. “He has always led from the front, is eager to take charge, and has always been down-to-earth but professional. Sgt. 1st Class Campbell should be the spokesperson for our Corp, as he is always wearing his recruiter hat even when he doesn’t realize it.”
Lee said that he believes Campbell has the potential to rise to the top of his career field.
“He speaks highly of the Chaplain Corp and has the potential to be our Regimental Sergeant Major,” Lee said. “Sgt. 1st Class Campbell is one of the most hardworking and squared away NCOs I’ve had the privilege to work with over my military career, and I’m honored to be a part of a team with him.”
Campbell went on to emphasize that despite the commitment military service requires, it is also important to make room in your personal life for family and hobbies, often using the resources the Army provides.
“My advice for anyone that's joining the Army is to get past your first enlistment,” said Campbell. “I thought about doing ‘one and done’ because there were some people I didn't like. But the reality is, the Army is constantly changing.”
Campbell explained that the long-term benefits of Army service sometimes do not become apparent until after you serve your first contract. During his first enlistment, he was put in a role that he was not happy with, but was eventually able to find a new unit that better aligned with his career goals.
“I re-enlisted just a few months later, because I realized that the Army is fun,” Campbell said. “There's just so many opportunities that if you just do a three-year contract or a four-year contract, you're most likely not going to experience the Army the way it's meant to be experienced.”
Because he made use of the opportunities presented to him, Campbell has met celebrities such as UFC fighters Frank Mir at JBLM, and Clay Guida and Uriah Faber in Italy as part of a USO event. He also met famous WWE wrestlers such as Shawn Michaels and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin because the events are free for service members.
Campbell said he encourages Soldiers to take advantage of the many benefits that provide career opportunities after the military.
“I would say that being an individual in the Army is important, because whether it's after one contract or 20 years, you will have to go on to something else,” said Campbell. “Find something that you love, do your passion outside of that. College education, get a trade, because at one point, you'll permanently take this uniform off, and you'll have to do something else.”
Overall, the camaraderie Campbell felt with his fellow Soldiers is one of the most memorable aspects of his life in the Army.
“Enjoy your time with your battle buddies,” said Campbell. “Go watch a UFC fight together, catch a football game. Take the opportunities that are given, because if you don't, you'll regret it.”
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