Why We Serve

Thomas G. Taylor, a Marine Corps veteran who served in the Vietnam War, inspired his grandson, Benjamin E. Bowdoin, to enlist into the Marines in Oxford, Alabama, Oct. 2, 2020.

Taylor began his Marine Corps career as an infantryman in 1965. The next year he was accepted into Force Reconnaissance and deployed to Vietnam. In 1975, after the war, he became one of the first service members to enter what was then the newly-created occupational field of military police. Taylor retired as a master sergeant in 1968.

Bowdoin, now a senior at Pleasant Valley High School, enlisted through Recruiting Substation Anniston, Recruiting Station Montgomery. He is currently in the Delayed Entry Program, preparing to begin recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina, where he will train for 13 weeks to earn the title of U.S. Marine. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Sgt. Jorge A. Rosales and Cpl. Terry Haynes)

Steve Gorshe, supervisory store associate with the Defense Commissary Agency at the Fort McCoy Commissary, talks about taking time to celebrate holidays like Easter and supporting commissary customers. He also discusses what the Fort McCoy Commissary has planned for the 2021 Easter observance. Gorshe is also a retired Army Soldier. (Video by Scott Sturkol/Fort McCoy Public Affairs Office.)

Marines from the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Light Helicopter Attack Squadron 775, Camp Pendleton, Calif., train with Airmen from the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, August 27, 2021.

Firefighter Brandon Perron with the Fort McCoy Directorate of Emergency Services Fire Department discusses the fire department's dive team completing ice rescue training Jan. 11, 2023, at Big Sandy Lake on South Post at Fort McCoy, Wis. Several firefighters with the team took their turn getting in a suit, strapping an air tank and full-face mask, and diving into the depths of Big Sandy Lake under the ice on Fort McCoy’s South Post. The divers were covering depths of up to 15 feet or more completing several types of rescue scenarios under the guidance of fellow firefighters. Divers took turns going in and out of the same hole that was cut in the ice. Each diver was tethered with a connecting line that included a communications connection. (U.S. Army Video by Scott T. Sturkol, Public Affairs Office, Fort McCoy, Wis.)

Join us as we hear from Senior Airman Krista Grady an Air Force medic at the 165th Airlift Wing and her efforts in the COVID-19 relief efforts.

In this episode of Why We Serve, we will meet Airman 1st Class Christian Chassereau an Air Force medic at the 165th Airlift Wing and his part in the COVID-19 relief efforts. Chassereau has been assigned to an ambulance team in Macon as well as working in an intensive care unit and now on the frontlines of the testing efforts.

Join us as we meet Senior Master Sgt. Kenny Rentiers is the non-commissioned officer in charge of the Infection Control Teams for the 165th Airlift Wing in the state's response to COVID-19 relief efforts.

After the State of Georgia started activated Guardsmen for the COVID-19 relief efforts, Rentiers was one of the first to hit the ground running to build processes and lead the teams devoted to disinfecting long-term care facilities.

Rentiers served as a firefighter for the Air National Guard and also responded to relief efforts in Hurricane Katrina. Rentiers was recognized as the First Sergeant of the year for 2018 at the 165th Airlift Wing, the State of Georgia, and for the region.