My name is Robert, and I am a former Combat Rescue Helicopter Pilot. Following deployments to Iraq, two different parts of Afghanistan, and Africa, during which I flew a combined 252 combat sorties, rescued/recovered 291 with 151 lives saved, I was medically retired in Oct 2015 due to PTSD and a TBI.
The difficult part is that I can never again fly because of my mental disabilities. I’ve never wanted to do anything else, to be honest. Last semester, I tried taking classes in the hopes of finding a different career, but my symptoms made it too difficult to continue in a classroom setting. For awhile, I was stuck with no idea of a future for myself, aside from generic online classes.
I have been a student with CAMMO for several months now taking one-on-one guitar lessons and have enjoyed them so much that I recently began vocal lessons with them as well. I am now in the process of applying for VA Vocational Rehab so that I can supplement these lessons and develop a musical career for myself.
I am beyond grateful to CAMMO, specifically Brett, Victor, and Cathie, for the opportunity to learn! I love how much progress I have made and how much peace playing music brings to my life. I cannot wait to continue with them in the future!
Respectfully,
Robert Scoggins, Maj, USAF (retired)