SGT. charles F. Roche IV, U.S.M.C.
As Memorial Day approaches, we want to learn more about a local hero of our own. Charles, or Chuck as I’ve alway known him, is an exemplary friend and mentor to so many in our community. Now, we get to sit down with him and learn about the past that has made him who he is today.
PB: Hey Chuck, let’s start at the beginning. When did you enlist?
CR: I enlisted into the United States Marine Corps December 15th, 2002. I was living in Fairfield with my mother at the time.
PB: Why did you join?
CR: I needed some good orderly discipline and some direction.
PB: Why did you pick the Marines?
CR: Because it was the most physically demanding.
PB: : Do you recall your first days in service? What did it feel like?
Photo Cred: Charles Roche
CR: Getting off the bus for boot camp and just getting constantly screamed at. I was just stunned and shocked.
PB: Tell me about your boot camp/training experience(s).
CR: Basically during boot camp you’re told what to do and when to do it. From your 5am wake up all the way to 9pm when you hit the racks (go to sleep): 5am wake up/Make our racks (beds) / Get dressed / March to morning chow/physical training / Noon chow/martial arts or snap in with our rifles/practice drill (marching and formations) / Evening chow / Go over marine Corps knowledge / Square ourselves away (hygiene) / 9pm Hit the racks (beds), all at the same time getting disciplined by our Drill Instructors through exercises.
PB: Do you remember your instructors?
CR: Yes! I’ll never forget them.
Photo Cred: Charles Roche
Photo Cred: Charles Roche
PB: Where exactly did you go/serve?
CR: Paris Island SC, Camp Lejune NC, Okinawa JP, Thailand, Camp Pendleton CA, Fallujah Iraq, MCRD SD & Quantico VA. I enjoyed traveling and seeing new places so moving all around wasn’t too bad.
PB: What was your job/assignment?
CR: I joined as a Motor Transport Mechanic. I then went to school to be Military Police so I could run security in Iraq. Once I was back from Iraq I was an Instructor at a leadership school for Marines, Drill Instructor for my second enlistment, and I became a Martial Arts Instructor Trainer.
PB: Did you see combat?
CR: Yes.
PB: How did you get through it?
CR: A day at a time and realizing that we were all in it together.
Photo Cred: Charles Roche
PB: Tell me about a couple of your most memorable experiences.
CR: I really don’t talk about combat, but I’ll always remember recruit training as a recruit and a Drill Instructor. It’s where the transformation from civilian to Marine happens so it’s really cool.
PB: Were you awarded any medals or citations?
CR: I have 2 Good Conduct Medals, Iraqi Campaign Medal, National Defense, 2 Navy Achievement Medal, Drill Instructor Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Medal, 5 Meritorious Masts, and some others too.
PB: How did you stay in touch with your family?
CR: When I was in boot camp I wrote letters. When I was State side I would use a cell phone. When I was in Japan I would write and use a calling card from a pay phone. Then, when I was in Iraq it was back to writing letters.
PB: Did you have plenty of supplies?
CR: Not always. Marines always work with the bare minimum so I guess we always have plenty because we make due.
PB: What did you go on to do as a career after the war?
CR: Leadership Instructor, Drill Instructor, Martial Arts Instructor, and Personal Trainer.
PB: Did your military experience influence your current career path?
CR: No. I was already a personal trainer before I joined, but being a Drill Instructor gave me an authentic style for training clients.
PB: Is there anything you wold like to add? Your biggest lesson or message for our readers?
CR: I was very proud of my military service. I felt as if I fit into the Marines perfectly. It provided me the core values, discipline and guidance that I needed at the time, and I still carry the Core Values and Discipline today in my daily life. If anyone is in their early adult age and feels lost, the Military is a great way to find your path. I have the confidence that I can achieve anything I want in this world because of what I went through with my fellow Marines while I served this Country!