{"id":38,"date":"2024-09-18T18:34:31","date_gmt":"2024-09-18T18:34:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sanjac.mycareerfocus.org\/fall-2024-volume-5-issue-3\/service-is-lifestyle-for-army-veteran\/"},"modified":"2024-10-08T18:08:57","modified_gmt":"2024-10-08T18:08:57","slug":"service-is-lifestyle-for-army-veteran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sanjac.mycareerfocus.org\/fall-2024-volume-5-issue-3\/service-is-lifestyle-for-army-veteran\/","title":{"rendered":"Service is lifestyle for Army veteran"},"content":{"rendered":"

R<\/b>obert Charles remembers Sept. 11, 2001, as more than a dark day. It was the day he glimpsed his future.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eyes glued to the TV screen at his elementary school, Charles watched <\/span>the Twin Towers fall and learned about the other hijacked planes. If he had been 18, not 8, he would have enlisted on <\/span>the spot.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always had the urge to be in uniform \u2014 to protect and serve \u2014 because of that moment when I saw the terrorists attack,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

That desire to step up, no matter the cost, has never wavered. For Charles, it hits even closer to home. Broken homes and lack of vision weave through his family history. He wanted those negative cycles to end with him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Twenty-three years later, wrapping up his Army service and preparing to launch from San Jacinto College, he is gaining ground<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Joining the Army<\/span><\/h3>\n
\"Robert

Robert Charles<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

Even though Charles devoured war movies and video games like Medal of Honor, his family didn\u2019t believe he would enlist. For a time, he didn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

After high school, he worked full time to help support his family. But in 2016, a job layoff had the 24-year-old marching straight to an Army recruiter\u2019s office.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a horizontal construction engineer in the 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion, Charles jumped from high-performance aircraft to repair landing strips for supply planes. But more than accomplishing the mission, he made a personal pledge: to protect the young paratroopers under his command.<\/span><\/p>\n

During a tour in Afghanistan, Charles served in an armored vehicle convoy that cleared bombs. The day two military brothers in his division lost their lives remains seared in his mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was not on that mission with them that horrible day,\u201d he said. \u201cThey are heroes during Operation Freedom\u2019s Sentinel. They gave their all for this country.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Finding home at San Jac<\/span><\/h3>\n

While the military grew his resilience and assertiveness, it brought Charles face to face with the \u201cfragility of life\u201d and the need for a larger mission. After returning from Afghanistan, he struggled to untangle his identity from the military.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt took a while for me to realize my identitfy shouldn\u2019t come from my achievements,\u201d he said. \u201cIt comes <\/span>
\nfrom Christ.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Years earlier, Charles had dropped out of San Jac to work full time. Now nondeployable because of injuries, he decided to return. What drew him to the College were affordable tuition and convenience. What kept him there were the people \u2014 from <\/span>veteran services<\/a><\/span> staff to professors.<\/span><\/p>\n

San Jac was home.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not just a number here,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m a person.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Navigating college as a veteran<\/span><\/h3>\n

What has Charles found most challenging about returning to school? A new schedule each semester.<\/span><\/p>\n

He says the military routine may have been \u201cchaotic order, but it feels amazing.\u201d Falling out of his bunk at 5 a.m. Scrambling to dress. Standing in formation. Listening to the Reveille bugle call. Cycling through physical training exercises.<\/span><\/p>\n

In college, setting his own routine can feel uncomfortable, but he can\u2019t drop a class because of his veteran education benefits. To succeed, he focuses on the future.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cComing out of the military isn\u2019t the end of a chapter,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s the beginning of a new one.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He encourages other veterans not only to rely on San Jac\u2019s veteran resources but also to ask for help.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have people here who care about our veterans,\u201d he said. \u201cThey care about us. That means a lot right there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Pursuing his purpose<\/span><\/h3>\n

After earning his computer science associate degree next year, Charles will pursue bachelor\u2019s degrees in computer science, math, cybersecurity, and theological studies.<\/span><\/p>\n

He explains: \u201cOptions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Maybe he\u2019ll teach math part time and work in the IT field. Or maybe he\u2019ll pursue full-time ministry and mentor youth. Whatever the case, service will always come first.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a country where few join the military and many struggle to find their purpose, Charles knows his: serving regardless of personal gain.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Lord has given me this opportunity to be in college,\u201d he said. \u201cI want to use it for his kingdom.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Veteran and Military Affiliate Resource Fair<\/span><\/h3>\n

Veterans, join us for this free resource fair with lunch and prizes. Learn about education benefits, job opportunities, wellness programs, transition assistance organizations, and much more!<\/span><\/p>\n

When:<\/span> Friday, Nov. 8, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.<\/span>
\nWhere:<\/span> LyondellBasell Center for Petrochemical, Energy, & Technology (Central Campus, Building C45)<\/span><\/p>\n

By Courtney Morris<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Robert Charles remembers Sept. 11, 2001, as more than a dark day. It was the day he glimpsed his future. Eyes glued to the TV screen at his elementary school, Charles watched the Twin Towers fall and learned about the other hijacked planes. If he had been 18, not 8, he would have enlisted on… read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":101,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,8],"tags":[],"article_type":[],"class_list":["post-38","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","category-veterans"],"yoast_head":"\nService is lifestyle for Army veteran - Fall 2024, Volume 5 \u2013 Issue 3<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sanjac.mycareerfocus.org\/fall-2024-volume-5-issue-3\/service-is-lifestyle-for-army-veteran\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Service is lifestyle for Army veteran\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Robert Charles remembers Sept. 11, 2001, as more than a dark day. 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