Having spent time in the Army National Guard and Active Duty Army, Rob Anderson decided he preferred military life over civilian life when he got out of the Army. Being medically retired himself, Anderson now encourages his fellow veterans to ask for help and provides support to local veterans with Operation Charlie Bravo (OCB).
Seeking a direction in life, Anderson joined the Army National Guard in 1996 at 17 years old through the Delayed Entry Program. He followed in his friends’ footsteps who had gone to basic training the year prior. Although Anderson’s two grandfathers weren’t talkative about their Army service, he was still inspired by their pictures. Little did he know that becoming a combat engineer for the Army National Guard would define his life.
“I loved everything in the military,” Anderson said. “I loved the command structure, the respect from lower ranks to higher ranks, and the room for improvement. You can put yourself on a path to improve, move up in the ranks, and educate yourself. The world's your oyster in the military.”
Anderson served for eight years before getting out to spend more time with his young kids. He took the chance to return to the Army as active duty after he was laid off from his factory job in 2008. Anderson believed the only other thing he was good at was being a soldier.
This second stint of active duty gave Anderson the chance to be a motor transport operator. He deployed to Iraq after two months of training. At the end of 2009, Anderson was ejected from a MRAP vehicle in a rollover accident during a convoy. He was forced to medically retire after sustaining back injuries, head trauma, and a severely broken hip.
It took Anderson a while to find a new groove after retirement. He had heard about OCB, a nonprofit organization in Crown Point providing solutions and resources to veterans, but he didn’t believe he was the right person for the group. It took the tenacity of his nephew, who’s in the National Guard, to convince Anderson to check out the group. He felt at home after the first day.
“We've had guys and gals come to OCB that needed a lot of help but they weren't asking for it,” Anderson said. “I'm one of them. At the time that I found OCB, I had backed off most of my personal relationships. By going in there and listening to other people's issues and trying to help other people out, it brought me back out of my shell.”
Anderson started out volunteering for OCB and is now serving as the National Operations Director and Blaster Programs Director/Veteran Mentor. In his roles, he assists in tasks such as donations, event planning, and day-to-day activities. He also helps Jason Zaideman, the executive director and founder, ensure things are running smoothly internally.
There is a focus from Anderson to improve programs that already exist at OCB. The tight-knit group has done so much for him after his retirement that he wants to do the same for other veterans.
“I've been running their Blaster Program, which is a transportation services program for veterans that either have a vehicle that's broken down or they don't have a vehicle at all,” Anderson said. “We take in vehicle donations and we can get the vehicles fixed. If a veteran needs it, we can put it in their hands. If they need help with repairs, we can do that.”
When he’s not volunteering, Anderson enjoys his rural lifestyle in DeMotte which includes hunting, fishing, camping, and motorcycles. He also finds fulfillment in spending time with family and traveling with his wife. Even so, OCB and his personal life are intertwined. He recently participated in their Get Lost Outdoor Program, a camping and motorcycle trip.
Anderson is very passionate about OCB. The organization provides services to a unique segment of the population that requires a lot of help but is resistant to asking for it. Anderson emphasized providing services that make veterans feel part of something without making them feel like they’re begging. He urges other veterans to put down their walls and reach out to their veteran peers for understanding, just like he did.
“If there are any veterans out there who are in need of friends, friendship, camaraderie, something to do with themselves or people to speak to, check out OCB,” Anderson said. “All veterans are welcome.”