Sergeant Major of the Army returns home

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Steven Eaton | Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler, speaks to the junior class at Bridgewater – Raynham Regional High school, here Sept. 12, 2014. During the visit, Chandler spoke to students about his time at the school and about the important of planning and how good leadership played a role in his development as a Soldier. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Steven C. Eaton, 65th Public Affairs Operations Center, Massachusetts National Guard)  

BRIDGEWATER, MA, UNITED STATES

09.12.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Steven Eaton 

65th Theater Public Affairs Support Element

BOSTON – The list of accomplishments, awards, duty positions and honors bestowed to the 14th Sergeant Major of the United States Army is extensive, but on Sept. 12, 2014, he was just a kid from Bridgewater visiting home.

Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III, has been across the globe during his career, however this was only his third trip to Massachusetts since he enlisted in Brockton, Mass. in 1981 and his first trip back to the Bridgewater - Raynham Regional High School since his graduation.

To the sounds of the Army Song, played by the B-R high school band, Chandler was welcomed by Superintendent Dr. Jaqueline Forbes and Principal Angela Watson and led into the school where he was greeted by old friends like Bridgewater Fire Chief George Rogers, and other fellow graduates of the class of 1980.

During his visit, Chandler ate lunch with some of the outstanding students at the school, speaking candidly about his time at B-R and how he found himself joining the Army.

After lunch Chandler spoke to the junior class about their future and asked some students of his alma mater about what they wanted to do. He then explained the importance of planning for the future. "You need to have a plan, but you also need to have a backup plan in case your first one doesn't work out," said Chandler.

Chandler then took time to answer some of the questions the students had, ranging from is there a “triple Purple Heart” to will the Army help me with college.

Before his trip to his old stomping grounds, Chandler visited a unique program to Massachusetts.

The Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base program is a unique private sector program dedicated to healing the invisible wounds of post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury in service members. These invisible wounds are being found to have long term effects as well as lead to suicide.

"We have issues with suicides, and until we're ready to really reach out and help one another and be there for one another were still have those challenges," said Chandler.

During a tour of the facilities, Chandler was guided by Home Base Executive Director Brig. Gen. (Ret.) John A. Hammond. During the tour, Hammond, along with Dr. Naomi Simon, Chief Medical Officer for the program, explained the different types of methods used to improve the quality of life of service members suffering from these invisible wounds, as well as helping them deal with everything from substance abuse to driving.

Hammond also explained that the program hires veterans to help work with service members when they come in so they already have that level of trust and confidence that another veteran is there to help.

"Their support makes the Army better in many ways, and looking at the research that's going and how we can maintain those connections between an organization like the Red Sox foundation and others to help all our Soldiers and families get better is extremely important," said Chandler on the important relationship between the Massachusetts National Guard and The Home Base Program.

• Date Taken: 09.12.2014
• Date Posted: 09.15.2014 10:22
• Story ID: 142168
• Location: BRIDGEWATER, MA, US