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GRAFENWOEHR, Germany - U.S. Army Spc. Frank von Bloedau, born 1980 in Frankfurt, Germany, is a living example of perseverance, dedication and overcoming life challenges.
“It’s a challenge, not [only] joining the Army, my whole life is a challenge,” he explained. “This is just part of my life."
Those life challenges are what can push us in certain directions, often times bringing about significant change.
After graduating high school, Bloedau enrolled at Gold Schmiedeschule (Gold Smith School) in Pforzheim, Germany and obtained a degree in Computer Network Control (CNC) Mechanics and worked in the career field for three years before joining the German Army.
Following his initial 9-month contract he reenlisted, as an infantryman, for the experience and the chance to deploy.
That chance came in 2002 with a peacekeeping mission to Bosnia before returning to Heidelberg in 2003 where Bloedau stayed on after his active, military service as a security contractor from 2006 to 2011.
In 2009 an opportunity presented itself that would change Bloedau’s life forever.
“My mom came to me and said, ‘Don’t go to work tomorrow, please don’t go, it’s a surprise,’” he said.
“Wednesday, someone called me from USAFIS (United States of America Foreign Immigration Services).
“Are you Mr. von Bloedau?”
“I said, ‘yeah.’”
“Congratulations, you win the green card lottery.”
Bloedau went on to explain that winning the lottery did not guarantee him a green card. There are several steps in the process to include a criminal and financial background check, physical exam and a face-to-face interview.
After arriving in the States, nearly two years after being notified of winning the lottery, Bloedau took a short tour of the Midwest visiting Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio before enlisting in the U.S. Army as a Supply Specialist. He is currently assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.
Following a successful completion of basic training, he participated in a naturalization ceremony and officially became a dual citizen of the U.S. and Germany.
Always moving forward and wanting to improve himself, Bloedau expressed a desire to renounce his German citizenship in order to gain his secret clearance and work towards his goal of serving as a translator after military life.
Between now and then though, he’s leaving options open to reach his goal. Military Police and Civil Affairs are also on the radar and already knowing three languages, German, English and French, certainly doesn’t hinder those ambitions.
“You can not stop and sit in back, you have to look forward…see the positive side.” - Spc. Frank von Bloedau
| Date Taken: | 03.31.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 03.31.2015 08:59 |
| Story ID: | 158629 |
| Location: | GRAFENWOEHR, DE |
| Web Views: | 94 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Germany to US Army – An immigrant’s tale, by SGT Uriah Walker, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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