It’s very hard to figure out exactly where to begin. Well, I guess it was November 14, 1996. 
The day a young wanna be hood rat swore to defend this beautiful country with his life. That I have! Putting this uniform on has been the greatest privilege. With 20 years serving my country and 39 serving God, I can only say I have been truly blessed. With 2 conflicts (at least to me they were), 2 wars, 5 deployments, 3 Over-seas tours; I 
can probably write a book on the entire 20 years but I’ll just keep it brief.
I started this amazing journey as part of the Airborne Infantry at Fort Bragg, NC with the 3/504th PAR. NOW!! Deep down, my heart belongs to the infantry. But it didn’t take long before me wanting to broaden my horizons. I went to the reenlistment office and reenlisted to be a Mechanic/Crewchief for the UH-60 Black Hawk. Not before 2 deployments and some amazing experiences. I mean, I got to parachute out of so many different aircraft. All, with its own special experience. Who gets to do that???
Now a Crewchief in Germany, part of the legendary 45th Air Ambulance Medical Company. It did take me a little bit to adjust to the aviation world. SOOOOOOO much more laid back than the Fort Bragg Infantry mentality. The whole 1st name basis and no one standing at parade rest had me freaked out!! LOL!! Eventually I adjusted and started fast tracking while there. Had me a great time. I fell in love with the mechanics and the flying in the back of the Black Hawk. Specifically the MEDEVAC mission. What an amazing feeling.
9/11 changed everything for me. I was on top of the aircraft working on it when everyone yelled and ran to the office to see what was going on. 2 years after the catastrophic event, it was our turn to go to Afghanistan. I don’t know really what to say about what happened while we were there. SO! I’ll just keep it at the quick realization of wanting to be a Black Hawk pilot more than anything I have ever wanted. 4 Applications later and while in Afghanistan, I was selected to go to flight school. After my deployment, and returning to Germany, I left to flight school. Fort Rucker here I come!!!!
Graduating flight school we all knew something was up when almost a dozen of us graduates are on orders to Fort Hood. Arriving only to find out we are there to start a new Air Assault Battalion and deploying to Iraq in the late summer. MANNNN!! Did we have a lot to do and learn in less than 8 months. Every one of us grew fast on a 15 month deployment. The missions vary from Passenger moves to 24-hour air assaults.
After becoming and instructor and an evaluator in the Black Hawk, the list of my experiences will go forever. This is where I sum it all up.
In the Army I had the best times of my life and the worst times of my life. This may be random but it’s how I remember it. Married and divorced. Missing family and family events. Physical fitness in the dark, ate green eggs and ham, the worst MREs and FROZE MY ASS OFF!!! too many times to count. I found brotherhood, lost brothers. Too many times did I see a face or name I knew on an updated bulletin. Drove HUMVEEs, 2 ½ ton t
rucks and gunned them. Operated and instructed in the most diverse helicopter in the world. In just about every environment imaginable. As a Crewchief, treated more patients, from amputees, young children and HEROES. HEROES… A term used when flying a KIA. Flew the Black Hawk in Iraq, Afghanistan and the borders of Pakistan. Earned my Stetson and combat spurs. I slept in the rain, mud, sand, concrete, on ants farms and beehives, aircraft cabin floor, on slopes, head on the landing gear as a pillow. Fire watch, singing cadence, spent countless times in the front leaning rest (the push up position). Land Navigation at Fort Brag and Germany. Motor/Rotor Stables, scorching hot, windy freezing flight lines. Battle Buddies and Buddy Fuckers. SERE School. Indirect fire and Close Combat Attacks, fire fights and car bombs. 9mm, 12 gauge, 30mm, 5.56 and 7.62. DRILL SERGEANT YES DRILL SERGEANT!!!! Gunnery, hoist and 9 Lines. Band of Brothers Marathon. TROOPS IN CONTACT, REDCON 1, Hasty Air Assaults. Devils in Baggy Pants, Widow Makers, Witch Doctor, Sked, ARCIA, Low Rider, Gryphon Werewolves, DUSTOFF!! ( Dedicated Unhesitating Service To Our Fighting Forces). Road marches and digging my new rank out of my collar bones. Brown outs, Dust Landings, lighting storms. 
Search and Rescue, High Speed Shaft Failure, Single and Multipoint Deck Landings. Taking fire and returning fire. Blood, sweat, tears. Pat Tillman, Rangers, Special Forces. PTSD. Loyalty. Duty. Respect. Selfless Service. Honor. Integrity. Personal Courage. Hey Private! Specialist, Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Candidate, WOJG, Chief, Sir!!
It has been one hell of a roller coaster ride. One I love to hate, hate to love. To all those I have served with in the past and to those I serve with now, to those who will serve after me, you are brothers and sisters…. I love every one of you. Thanks for the memories! ARCIA 23, WITCHDOCTER 12, SKED 12 OUT!!!