“My Transition” #38: Bobby Ehrig — Army MP to WWP Mentor and Public Speaker
Bobby was on his second combat tour to Iraq when a suicide bomber detonated 100 tanks of propane, changing his life forever.
I had 17 years in the Army and did not plan to get out until 30. I had no idea how to look for a job again… Many want to pursue other things but everyone assumes we want to stay in the field we were trained to do… You MUST prepare to be in the civilian world again no matter how short or long you were in service.
San Antonio, TX— Bobby was on his second combat tour to Iraq when a suicide bomber drove a flatbed truck with over 100 tanks of propane into his unit’s entry control point. Bobby was hit head-on with a fireball that resulted in 56 wounded US and Iraqi personnel and 16 killed. Bobby sustained 3rd degree burns to over 40 percent of his body, severe corneal scarring to both eyes, hearing loss to both ears, inhalation burns to his nose, throat and larynx, a traumatic brain injury, and PTSD… after many years of therapy and recovery, he is now a staunch supporter and advocate for veterans.
DJS: Why did you join the military?
BE:
To serve my country and get college benefits.
DJS: What were the most important skills or lessons that you learned?
BE:
Responsibilty, Integrity, Strong work ethic
DJS: Did you know what you were going to do when you left the Army?
BE:
Had no Idea. Since I was severely injured I didn’t even know what I could do now.
DJS: Did you face any struggles during transition?
BE:
There was no transition. In 2008, even today, folks complain because it is just a process rather than a real transition. Some bases in the US actually help a Veteran transition like Joint Base Lewis McCord, but San Antonio does a poor job even today according to many Veterans.
DJS: Tell me about your initial job search process?
BE:
I used what I was told. LinkedIn, Work in Texas, Indeed. I had 17 years in the Army and did not plan to get out until 30. I had no idea how to look for a job again.
DJS: What was most challenging about going from military to civilian life?
BE:
Not have a network of battle buddies to help educate me like we do in the military. After relying so much on a team, passing of lessons learned, information from strong leadership resources for advice, the transition was worse than deciding to medically retire after 17 years of what I did best.
DJS: Did your military skills translate well into other jobs?
BE:
They did, if I could still do law enforcement. For many others, they don’t even want to do the job that the military trained them on. Many want to pursue other things but everyone assumes we want to stay in the field we were trained to do. Unfortunately, being a recruiter for 3 years, I learned many folks got jobs they just did because they wanted to serve or needed the benefits. Not what they wanted to do long-term.
Many want to pursue other things but everyone assumes we want to stay in the field we were trained to do.
DJS: Did you use any veteran networking strategy to land any of your previous positions? If so, how did you make those connections?
BE:
I tried using my skills to network, but it was hard because networking in the civilian world requires knowing folks there any many of my networks were still on active duty. They don’t teach you how to network after you get out except for the communication skills you learn. If I wasn’t an Army Recruiter it would have been even harder for me to do.
DJS: How did you land your current job as a public speaker?
BE:
It is not my only job. I do that when asked. It helps me with my PTSD and is therapy for me. Someone heard me speak one time and said I should try it more often so I do if asked.
DJS: Tell me about what you do on a daily basis at the San Antonio Coalition for Veterans and Families?
BE:
I do alot of talking with community leaders, helping answer tough questions for Veterans and families, and give input to many programs that are starting or want to build one for Veterans and their families. I advocate a lot for key issues depending on if someone just needs help accessing benefits or services, or if there is an issue that requires legislative support. It is a volunteer job so it doesn’t pay.
I advocate a lot for key issues depending on if someone just needs help accessing benefits or services, or if there is an issue that requires legislative support.
DJS: What skills from the military translated into your jobs and made you successful in those roles?
BE:
Understanding of different cultures and people, strong leadership qualities, commitment to something or a cause, time management, multitasking, crisis mitigation
DJS: If you knew one thing before the transition process that would have made your experience easier, what would that be?
BE:
How to get ready to transition. How to begin networking in advance. Where to find Veteran friendly employers both locally and nationally.
DJS: What was the hardest piece of transition?
BE:
Starting a new normal where everyone is not a Vet and not knowing how to start that process.
DJS: What one piece of advice do you have for anyone reading this?
BE:
Start your transition 18 months out. If you change your mind and stay in great. You MUST prepare to be in the civilian world again no matter how short or long you were in service. It is not, and will not be the same as you left it before and you MUST be ready to jump in feet first!
You MUST prepare to be in the civilian world again no matter how short or long you were in service.
Bio
Bobby is a retired Army Master Sergeant of 17 years. He started his military service at the age of 17 and left just several months after graduating high school. As he learned his military skills, Bobby found a career calling in the Military Police Corps where he spent over 14 years and travelled around the globe including three separate tours to Germany and one assignment in the US with the famous 101st Airborne Division, Screaming Eagles, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Bobby also spent much of his time fighting global tyranny while deployed in support of the Implementation Force (IFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina and two back to back combat tours to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he was injured.
While on his second consecutive combat tour in two years, Bobby was responsible for training, equipping and building Iraqi police forces in the heavily fortified Al Anbar Province, Ramadi, Iraq. In August 2006, while conducting the first in-house police recruitment drive, a suicide bomber drove a flatbed truck with over 100 tanks of propane into his unit’s entry control point. After being shot by the Iraqi Police defending the position, the bomber detonated the device which sent a fire ball that extended over 500 feet outward and almost a half mile into the sky. The blast could be seen from as far as two miles away and was captured in photos from soldiers at a distant observation control point.
While attempting to warn both Iraqi and US forces of the imminent threat, Bobby exposed himself to the full impact of the blast, without any protection or concern of his own safety. As the blast expanded, Bobby was hit head on with a fireball that would end with 56 wounded US and Iraqi personnel and 16 killed, including two teenage boys who were travelling with their father to gather water. The blast could be seen from as far as two miles away.
As the shock of the blast set in, Bobby and his troops were evacuated by both US Army and US Marine personnel. Bobby was the most severely injured, but was credited with saving dozens of US and Iraqi lives because of his actions to warn others while sustaining severe injuries to himself including 3rd degree burns to over 40 percent of his body, severe corneal scarring to both eyes, hearing loss to both ears, inhalation burns to his nose, throat and larynx, a traumatic brain injury, and PTSD.
Bobby spent almost five years in his initial recovery, while taking almost two years to speak and walk again without assistance. He has endured only 27 surgeries to help his recovery, but will say he is lucky compared to his fellow burn survivors. Bobby is not shy about his injuries, and spends much of his free time advocating and educating the community on issues like PTSD and hearing loss, as well as how Veterans from combat can be a strong contribution to any organization or company. He also mentors dozens of Veterans annually as a certified peer mentor and volunteers on numerous opportunities to help those in need from every generation.
Bobby speaks regularly, in various national, state and local audiences, raising awareness for issues affecting Veterans and families, and has been the key player in the passing of two Texas laws to help severely burn Veterans injured in combat. He is the 2012 Texas DAV Disabled Veteran of the Year awardee and is regularly called upon by elected officials, both state and nationally, to bring the “Veterans voice” to our representatives.
Bobby is currently the volunteer executive director for the San Antonio Coalition for Veterans and Families (SACVF). A Texas-based nonprofit organization that raises awareness for Veterans and families through monthly informational community meetings, acts as an advocate for Veterans and families, and provides emergency assistance for unmet needs that other community programs cannot support.
Although very modest, yet outspoken for Veterans and their families, Bobby does not talk about his military service often. He has been awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his actions in Ramadi, Iraq, in 2006. He also has been awarded a multitude of commendations including the Meritorious Service Medal, 5th award, Army Commendation Medal, 8th award, and the Combat Action Badge. He is a member of the elite Sergeant Audie Murphy Club for leadership and is only one of a handful of units that has been awarded the Navy/Marine Corps Unit Commendation Medal for their actions during the Iraq War. Bobby holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Park University and is certified in Crisis Intervention and a certified Peer Mentor by several national organizations.
Top resources
Hire Heroes USA — Hire Heroes USA empowers U.S. military members, veterans and military spouses to succeed in the civilian workforce.
Make the Connection — Hear Veterans share their stories of transitioning from military service or returning from deployment and adjusting to a new life.
Wounded Warrior Project — WWP provides free programs and services to address the needs of wounded warriors and fill gaps in government care.
Veteran Employment Transition Roadmap — The Veteran Employment Transition (VET) Roadmap provides transitioning service members and veterans resources to navigate the employment landscape and succeed in the civilian workforce.
Are you interested in sharing your story of transition? Or are you a military transition specialist who would like to share some tips? Send me an email at MilitaryTransitionStories@gmail.com
The goal of this series is to bridge the military-civilian divide in three ways: 1) Highlight the incredible skills and value that military veterans of all generations and backgrounds bring into the workplace. 2) Help transitioning veterans understand their true value and therefore aim as high as possible in their employment and educational goals. 3) Discuss the common struggles, pitfalls and indicators of success in veteran transition, in order to provide better transition assistance from both military and civilian sides.
