Connected Warrior Foundation is pleased
to have as a guest warrior blogger wounded veteran Robert B. In sharing his own experience, he provides
encouragement and inspiration for fellow vets to get back out thereand get involved.
Guest Blog: Robert B.
I was born and raised
on the eastern shore of Maryland. I joined the Army Reserves shortly after
graduating high school in December 2000 and later joined Active Army in 2004. I
felt it was my civic duty to serve my country, but there were other reasons I
joined as well: I was able-bodied, had always idolized an uncle who fought
three tours in Vietnam, and figured it would provide me with the discipline I
lacked without a father figure growing up. Not to mention there was a GI Bill
involved that would provide me with the funding to obtain a college
degree—something no one in my immediate family possessed.
I transitioned from
civilian to soldier via Fort Knox, Kentucky in 2000. While this transition—from
18 year old boy into man—seemed significant and difficult, it was the
transition back into a civilian in December 2007 that would prove the most
challenging. I was deployed to Afghanistan as a scout with 3-71 CAV (RSTA),
10th Mountain for approximately 18 months, from 2006-2007. We experienced a great
deal of combat in the Nuristan province, from Chowkay to the Korengal and
ultimately Kamdesh. Many of the men in my unit were wounded or killed by enemy
fire, shrapnel or helicopter crashes,
among other things. I myself was one of the few who got hurt another
way...the clumsy way. During a combat patrol in the Nuristan province I lost my
footing and fell down one of the steep mountains. While I stayed with my unit
through the rest of the deployment, I was in constant pain—Toradol shots and
Ibuprofen 800mg became a staple for me.
We redeployed to Fort
Drum in June 2007 and I was then off to Reserve Officer Training Corp with the
University of North Carolina Charlotte. By December 2007, ROTC leadership
determined I was unfit for duty - because of my back injury and the medicine I
was taking for PTSD. I was released from ROTC and my future in the Army was
over. Not sure what I was going to do, I decided to stay in college which kept
me somewhat sane, but I was no longer an active participant in society. I put
on a lot of weight, started drinking and found every excuse in the world not to
be involved with life.
I stopped exercising
or even being outside as often - which is bizarre because I loved the outdoors.
I stopped going to events with friends because the crowds bothered me; I
basically shut down in many ways. I stayed in touch with a few of my old
comrades but most of them deployed over and over again, and we lost touch. Some
never made it home and others ended up at Walter Reed. I found myself preferring
to be alone, which my neither civilian friends or my family understood. I
missed the camaraderie experienced only in the military—especially with my
brothers in combat.
In 2011 I heard about
the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) and realized I was eligible for some of the
events. It took me awhile to get signed up and scheduled for an event, but by
November 2012 I participated in my first Soldier Ride with WWP. I would have to
say this was the most uplifting experience for me since leaving the military—I
didn't know anyone when I arrived at the airport but by the end of the first
night I felt like I was right at home. Over the course of the three-day bike
ride we traded war stories and cracked jokes, had some amazing meals and—most
importantly—learned we weren't alone. That was key.
To others who asked
about my experience, it was hard to explain that perhaps to them it was just a
bike ride but to me it was so much more. When I finally arrived home, my wife
knew something had changed: I was no longer numb, I felt joy and excitement. I
was rejuvenated.
Since the Soldier
Ride with WWP, I have made a conscious effort to stay involved and become
active in society once more. I have signed up for two more Soldier Rides and
signed up for a 5K marathon on my 31st birthday. I have stayed in touch with
several of the guys at Soldier Ride and now have a road bike that I will use
when the weather warms up. While life will admittedly never be the same, it has
definitely improved. It may sound absurd to say a three-day bike ride changed
me this much—but it did. Perhaps it was all I needed…just a little push.
I have reached out to
former military team members to urge them to get back out there and become
involved—with WWP or other volunteering organizations for veterans. Being
surrounded by others who have experienced similar situations comes with a sense
of purpose and peace: It’s as simple as knowing the man or woman to the left or
right of you has been through similar situations. They understand. It's
therapeutic.
I passionately urge
all veterans to get off the couch and get back out there. Become an active
member of society with fellow brothers and sisters in arms.
- Robert B.
- Robert B.