robert anderson:  

While I did attend Oak Grove high school during the majority of my senior year I regretfully did not make it into the year book, or graduate as I should have with the Class of 1989. I was a passenger in a vehicle being driven by an imbecile who was high on drugs when he lost control and drove off of a 32' embankment directly onto a dry creek bed. Seated in the rear of of the vehicle with one other individual we had only been restrained by lap belts resulting in us sustaining substantial injuries. Because I had missed so much time from school recovering from my injuries I had to finish my high school requirements through the Metropolitan Adult Education Program to be able to graduate on time. Shortly after graduating I enlisted into the United States Navy attending Boot Camp in San Diego, California, and A School in Memphis, TN where I became an Aviation Machinist Mate (Aircraft Powerplants Technician) serving abroad with Strike Fighter Squadron 195 on-board the USS Midway in Yokosuka, Japan. After cross decking from the USS Midway to the USS independence in Pearl Harbor Hawaii, deploying in support of Operation Desert Storm, Operation Southern Watch, Operation AnnualX and Operation Violent Blits I completed my time in the Navy. A short while after coming home and out-processing from the Navy I felt a void if you will in that I missed serving with my shipmates as a Sailor in the worlds greatest Navy leading to me joining the Navy Reserve being assigned to Naval Air Systems Command Reserve in Alamedia, CA where I was attached to the USS Abraham Lincoln before the base was closed as part of the Base Realignment and Closure Restructuring enacted by Congress. Having a sincere desire to return to active duty I was disheartened to discover that the Navy was not taking prior service members. So, I ended up enlisting into the United States Air Force Reserve where I was assigned to the 349th Component Repair Squadron at Travis Air Force Base. I had initiated this action with hopes of being able to come onto active duty with the Air Force who at the time had not taken prior service since 1986. Doing this had no influence over the the Air Force not accepting prior service onto active duty. Still young with no real set direction in my life I joined the United States Army National Guard where a short while later I enlisted onto once active duty onc again in 1994 never looking back. After Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonardwood, MO I attended the Health Care Specialist/Combat Medic Course at Fort Sam Houston, Texas whereby thereafter I attended Airborne School at Fort Bennington, GA. Upon graduating from Airborne School I was assigned to Fort Bragg, NC. Throughout the remainder of my career as a Soldier in the Army i was assigned to the 55th Medical Group (Airborne), Headquarters Support Compay 261st Area Medical Battalion (Airborne), Delta Company 261st Area Support Medical Battalion (Airborne), 28th Combat Support Hospital (Airborne), 62nd Medical Group, 250th Forwad Surgical Team (Airborne), I Cops Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Op...Expand for more