By Staff Sgt. Taikeila Chancey
USARCENT Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. – U.S. Army Central spotlights Spc. Robert M. Wenzel. Wenzel, an information technology specialist hails from Haskell, N.J. He comes from a family of six brothers and three sisters, he is the third oldest. At the age of 15, he dropped out of high school to get a job to help his mother support his siblings. Wenzel took on this responsibility until he was 22, when he decided to join the U.S. Army.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: My hobbies include working out, spending time with my wife and dogs. I also enjoy spending time with dogs at the local animal shelter.
Q: What do you enjoy doing most during your free time?
A: I enjoy going to dog parks, hiking and anything outdoors.
Q: What are your short/long-term professional goals?
A: My short-term goals are to graduate from the Warrior Leader Course as the distinguished honor graduate and get promoted to the rank of sergeant. My long-term goals are to earn my degree in nutritional science and continue being the best soldier I can be.
Q: When did you make the decision to become a soldier and why?
A: I made the decision to join the Army while working as a hardwood floor installer. I knew there had to be more to life, so I talked to a recruiter about joining the Army, and the rest is history.
Q: If you could take a vacation to a location of your choice, where would you go?
A: I would go to Tokyo. My cousin, who is in the Navy, was stationed there and I have heard nothing but wonderful things about the country, as well as the culture.
Q: What do you enjoy most about being a soldier?
A: I enjoy the pride I feel when I’m getting dressed in the morning; the uniform says it all.
Q: If you could change one thing about the Army, what would you change and why?
A: I would change the way we communicate in the Army; it seems to have some major flaws. For an organization that is supposed to represent the standard of being organized, I continue to see things happening "last minute" and we are constantly being reactive instead of proactive.
Q: If you could hold a different position in USARCENT for one day, what position would you
choose?
A: I would choose to serve as the ARCENT commanding general, if for no other reason than to experience a position where I could make a huge impact on soldiers of all levels, from the newest private to sergeant major.