Ep 050: SPC Robert Stark - U.S. Army (Airborne) Veteran

Military Veterans Podcast

Bob joined the United States Army (USA) in 2002 as part of Airborne Infantry, and served for 4 years, reaching the rank of Specialist (SPC).
In this episode Bob talks about his journey in joining the U.S. Army, and what it was like going through Basic Training, then onto Army Airborne School. He shares what it was like being sent to the 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment (1st of the 508th - Red Devils), in Italy, before being deployed to Iraq. This deployment saw his unit parachute into the country, being his 1st jump since Airborne School, and his 6th jump ever.
Bob also shares what it was like returning home after 1 year away in a war zone, and then getting orders to join the 101st Airborne Division, at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. After arriving at the 101st, he deploys to Iraq for the second time, ahead of his transition back to civilian life. After leaving the U.S. Army, Bob goes on a journey to become sober, with writing being part of his therapy, which has lead him to releasing multiple books - his first being Warflower.
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Part 1: youtu.be/pXDu0kjW2y4
Part 2: youtu.be/X3itIUREDhs
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1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. Growing Up (00:03:45)

3. Joining the U.S. Army (00:09:32)

4. Basic Training (00:14:07)

5. Army Airborne School (00:21:08)

6. 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment: Italy (00:29:01)

7. Parachuting into Iraq (00:38:22)

8. Returning Home (01:10:10)

9. 101st Airborne Division: Fort Campbell, Kentucky (01:12:01)

10. 2nd Iraq Deployment (01:20:43)

11. Leaving the U.S. Army (01:31:42)

12. Transition Back to Civilian Life (01:37:01)

13. Journey to becoming Sober (01:45:08)

14. Book: Warflower (01:51:28)

15. Final Thoughts & Advice (01:55:58)