Why we serve: Pfc. Dominick Gongwer

Photo By Staff Sgt. V. Michelle Woods | Ohio State Buckeye fan Pfc. Dominick Gongwer, a signal systems support specialist and Columbus, Ohio, native, assigned to the 267th Signal Company, 1034th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Task Force Durable, is currently deployed to Camp Pratt, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  

AFGHANISTAN

02.05.2013

Story by Sgt. V. Michelle Woods 

1st Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade

By: Sgt. V Michelle Woods
Task Force Durable Public Affairs Office

AFGHANISTAN - "I had six days after I graduated high school to say goodbye and have my party," said Pfc. Dominick Gongwer, signal support systems specialist, 267th Signal Company, 1034th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Task Force Durable.

Gongwer, a Columbus, Ohio, native, said he joined the Army as a senior in high school and his father had to sign for permission for him to join at 17 years old.

"I've been dreaming of going into the Army since I was young," said Gongwer, who is currently deployed to Afghanistan. "I made a promise to a friend when I was little that I would do it and he passed away. He was my buddy in my first neighborhood. We were three or four playing toy soldier in the back yard on the tree set. I still have the wooden gun too."

Gongwer said both of his parents are religious and they were uneasy about him joining. He said once he enlisted and his father was able to help pick his job, he became more comfortable with it.

"They're supportive and they help me take care of my wife back home," said Gongwer. "They enjoy hearing when I call home."

Although he has only been in the Army for one year, Gongwer said he has adjusted well to military life. He said when he got to his unit he gained friends who he knows he can talk to for a long time whereas the friends he thought he had in high school, he's grown apart from.

Gongwer said he is the first person in his family to serve in the U.S. armed forces but that is just one of many reason he serves.

"I serve for several reasons," said Gongwer. "I serve to honor my buddy. I serve because I want to be the most high-speed soldier. I serve so that when I go back home to Columbus, I can turn around and say yes I may be 19 but look at what I've done and where I'm at. I may not have been that in high school but I'm further than you right now."

Gongwer said he attributes a lot of his success to his recruiter, Sgt. 1st Class Damien Jeffery, who taught him the most about soldiering.

"I model what I do, how I work out, how I go about things and how I get things accomplished after him and his career in the Army," he said. "I go to him for every problem that comes up. I tell him what problem I'm having and he'll have an answer for me."

The self-described energetic and outgoing soldier added, "I enjoy going into work and getting down and dirty. I love to wear the uniform because it's a symbol of America and protection."

Gongwer said he originally planned on making the military a career but now that he has a family, he is taking it day by day.

• Date Taken: 02.05.2013
• Date Posted: 02.06.2013 04:52
• Story ID: 101529
• Location: AF