CHARLIE MIKE

He was a stand-up guy. Smart, athletic, kind, and humble. He embodied the qualities of a balanced young man. His friend Derek described him as COMPLETE and a BADASS. His favorite mentor and coach, Bill McHale, said he was motivated, but relaxed; driven, but never aggressive; competitive, but always a sportsman; always busy, but never complaining; a gentle soul, but a passionate soldier. With all he was capable of during his short time on earth, it was his character that made him special. As his high school’s quarterback, he took hit after hit, always returning to the huddle encouraging his team that a win was still within reach. In basketball, he would make the pass and be happy with the assist. A four-year, three-sport athlete, twice elected Student Body President, with a flawless GPA, on his way to West Point during a war. What gave him his drive? He became part of the Long Gray Line and during his time at the United States Military Academy he continued to accept no mediocrity. Grades and leadership remained his top priorities. He was never willing to take the shortcuts that would make his life easier but would stray from his values. He loved completing problem sets first so that he could offer help to fellow engineering peers. He willingly participated in land navigation drills and mask removal in the gas chamber along with the younger cadets while serving as their BEAST Commander. During BEAST, slang for cadet basic training at West Point, the new cadets are required to remove their mask briefly and answer a couple of questions in the gas chamber, thus allowing them to inhale a small amount of gas. This exercise will instill in them the importance of chemical gear. It was not required of the BEAST Commander, however, to hear that he willingly participated with the young new cadets was not surprising. He tackled one of his most challenging obstacles by completing Ranger School. A recycle in Ranger School is horrible although it happens to many soldiers at least once. The most difficult part of the recycle is that there is no indication from the Ranger Instructors (RI) regarding what one needs to “fix.” The RIs simply say pass or fail with no explanation given. Therefore, it is nearly impossible for the ranger student to work on their shortcomings because they do not know what they are. It is devastating because all you know is you failed and you will be repeating a 21-day cycle with not much food, very little sleep, and drills and challenges that take you to places you do not want to go. Recycling twice meant FOUR months of this exhausting, frustrating, dirty, cold, hungry, infuriating, madness. This is the reason only about half of the soldiers that begin Ranger School will finish and receive their Ranger Tab. With his legendary perseverance even after two recycles he was eventually awarded his Ranger Tab followed by his airborne wings. He was on a mission. Did he know his days were numbered? His family hoped that finally he could start living, but duty called too soon. He tried to comfort those around him by explaining he was trained and ready for whatever lay ahead. In the Fall of 2008, he left for the hot, dusty sands of Iraq and five short months later his military escort and friend, Ben Flores, brought him home. While this could read as a short story, thankfully it is not. Instead, it is the beginning of a beautiful legacy that continues to unfold…