Meet Your Army: Chicago in '85

Photo By Master Sgt. Nikki Glanton | Sgt. Lamonte J.D. McNutt, a multichannel systems operator-maintainer with 3rd Infantry Division, tells his story about his childhood experiences in Chicago, and the reason he chose to join the U.S. Army. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Nikki Felton)  

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

11.01.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Nikki Glanton 

3rd Infantry Division

FORT STEWART, Ga. (Nov. 1, 2016) -- It was November 1985 in the city of Chicago. President Barack Obama had just moved into the "Windy City" to work as a community organizer, the Chicago Bears ranked first in the National Football League with 15 wins, and Sgt. Lamonte J.D. McNutt, a multichannel transmission system operator-maintainer of 3rd Infantry Division, was born in the University of Chicago Medical Center.

"Chicago was known for the great sports, good food and beautiful city buildings, but Chicago was not for the faint of heart," said McNutt.

"As a child, it wasn't easy to overcome everything that was thrown at me," said McNutt. "When I was 12 years old, me and my three siblings were separated and placed into foster care, and were not reunited with my parents until five years later."

McNutt said he had to be strong enough to ask for help, and acknowledges that without the support of Family and friends, he would have never regained his strength to chase after his goals.

"I attended Manley Career Academy High School in Chicago and then attended Chicago State University for one year," McNutt said. "But I needed something different, and needed to know that there was more to life."

"I didn't have a scholarship, and college tuition got to be too expensive; so I withdrew from college and joined the U.S. Army."

McNutt signed up in February 2008 at a Chicago recruiting station. He's served at Fort Benning, Georgia, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and now Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he is the 3rd Infantry Division chief of staff's driver.

"Being the division chief of staff's driver has been a blast, and honestly it has rejuvenated my military career and my personal well-being," McNutt said. "The coolest thing about being in this position is I get to really see why decisions are made, and how one situation can, really, effect another."

McNutt said if he were ever asked if there was a moment he knew he was in it for the long haul, this would be it.

"As a soldier, I had to move away from my family and friends, and I really miss them," he said. "And even though I've had my ups and downs since being away from home, the Army saved my life and I plan on doing it for a while.

Some people say success is something you receive, but I believe it's about what you learn throughout your journey."

• Date Taken: 11.01.2016
• Date Posted: 11.09.2016 12:57
• Story ID: 214264
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US
• Hometown: CHICAGO, IL, US