Robert Schmitz:  

In November of 1966, I departed Peru, IN to join the Army. Thus the adventure began. The Army was a rewarding experience for me. At Fort Knox, KY, I went through Basic Training, Leadership Training, Advanced Individual Training and Officer Candidate School. 27 Oct 67, I was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant at the age of 19. In Nov 1967, I reported to Fort Campbell, KY where I was offered an opportunity to work a special assignment for 2-3 months as an escort officer. The assignment was to escort US Cabinet Level Officials, Senators, Congressmen and other VIP's that came to Fort Campbell to monitor the deployment of the 101st Airborne Division to Viet Nam. In early Dec 1967, I became a member of the Fort Campbell post basketball team. During the 68-69 and 69-70 seasons, I served as the Head Coach for the post basketball team. My 69-70 Third Army Championship team is consider the finest post basketball team ever assembled. While at Ft. Campbell, I also worked as the Training Center Special Services Officer and later the Assistant Post Special Service Officer. I also served as the Director of the Post Youth Activities Center responsible for the Teen Club and all youth sports programs. I departed to Fort Bragg (Oct 70) to attend the Military Assistance Training Advisory course. I spent 4 Jan-21 Dec 71 in Viet Nam. I was the Team Leader of a MATA Team and an Assistant District Senior Advisor. Viet Nam was the most personally rewarding military assignment that I ever had other than being a Company Commander (Germany Aug 73-Feb 75). I spent January-March 1972, at Fort Knox attending the Armor Motor Officer Maintenance Course. I had hoped to have 8 weeks of relaxation while there, but because I was the senior active duty officer in the class, I end up being the class leader. President's day 1972, I met a young lady-Rachel Mundinger, who was travelling to Fort Knox to visit her best friend and neighbor from high school. Her friend was married to one of the lieutenants in my class. Over the next several weeks, I made several weekend trips to Michigan State University to visit Rachel. Following the Motor Officer course, I had 10 days leave which coincided with Rachel's spring break. This gave me the opportunity to spend some more time with her. April of 72, I arrived in Erlangen, Germany. Erlangen was a great city to live in. I totally enjoyed my time in Germany. I served as the S-4 (Logistics Officer) and later the Company Commander of A Company, 2/37th Armor Battalion. Working in an Armor Battalion was challenging to say the least, but you could still find time to enjoy the country and its people, culture and history. Late August 1972, I had invited Rachel to come visit for 10 days prior to starting her final semester at Michigan State. My original plan included two weekends at the Munich (Munchen) Olympics, but that got side tracked by the Israeli Massacre. Not knowing if or when the Olympics would resume, we decided to tour Italy visiting Rome, Pisa, Venice and Verona (Romeo/Juliet city). Rachel and I got engaged in Verona in September of 1972. We had a military wedding with dress blues and sabres in Erlangen in Dec 72. Life has been very good me and my family. The Army sent me to Columbia College to complete my BA in Business Administration 1976-77. While attending Columbia College, I served as the College's Head Basketball Coach for the 76-77 Season producing the college's first winning season, Columbia did not have another winning season until 1989. I spent 1977-79 at Fort Hood, TX as the Operations Officer and later Chief, Mobile Training #1 of US Forces Command Opposing Forces Training Detachment (RED THRUST) the Army's version of Top Gun. I left active duty in late 1979. The next 23 years were filled with numerous active duty and reserve assignments; I attended the Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, KS (1981). Other assignments include, Ft. Knox, Ft. Riley...Expand for more