by Tyler Fransen
Sophomore Tommy Heckler is unlike most other sophomores at CMU, because he is a few years older, and has experience serving in the armed forces.
When Heckler joined the U.S. Army a few years ago, he was stationed in the Herat Province of Afghanistan. When he got out of the army he decided to go back to school, and he came to CMU.
What brought you here to CMU?
My best bud who I was stationed with at Ft. Hood, he’s from this town and he talked me into coming here with him.
Talk to me about your experience in Afghanistan, what was that like?
I don’t know how to explain it or put it into words, it’s a way of life.
When you were first deployed, take me to the time when you’re flying into Afghanistan, you get off the plane, what’s the first thing that happens?
First thing that happens is we fly in and we have to get our gear, our gear is stacked at the USO. But the first thing that hits you is the heat. We got there mid-July so it was just mind boggling. No one was used to it, but we hit the ground running and just had to stay hydrated.
How is it being a veteran on campus, and also being a student?
It’s different, I mean me and all my veteran buddies we’re all older than the average student, so we’ll be in these classes with the younglings, and we have to keep it together, not flip out on some people and stay nice. My opinion is, the first year is always the hardest because you have to re-learn how to study, get back into the school mindset.
Was there any difficulty in transitioning from military life to civilian student life?
Just the paperwork, that was the hardest part. Getting enrolled, make sure everything gets paid for, […] making sure you show up to class on time.
What first got you interested in joining the military?
My whole family is military, I grew up and went to a military school, I went and lived on a military base my whole life, military’s in my blood.
Give me a story about your experience in the army?
One of my experiences that gets me still, it’s a funny story but it shows you how little things are to you. In Afghanistan, it’s a third world country so they don’t have everything that take for advantage, and we brought toilets, so we had toilets there for us. And they had to put signs on how to use the toilet properly, so they weren’t standing on it and stuff. You see that and it clicks and it’s like, ‘What’s so normal to us, is like mind-boggling to them.’” So you always have to keep an open mind, wherever you go.
What was your primary job/position in Afghanistan?
I was an AG, assistant gunner, in a scout unit, we’re 19-Deltas, and my job was just to carry all the weight.
What are some things that you learned in the army that you still apply to your daily routine as a student?
Always wake up early. Always right place, right time, right uniform, easiest way to put it.
If you could tell campus about being a student veteran, what would you say?
We’re not all mean. Some of us look very angry, they’re all like giant teddy bears.
