A hometown hero has returned to Winslow after serving 13 years in the Army. Sgt. Richard Hodge was just 18 when he enlisted in the Army. By doing so he fulfilled a dream he’d had all his life, following in the footsteps of four generations of family members.
“Even when I was a kid I knew I was going to go into the military; it’s what I always wanted,” he said. Training with the 82nd Airborne as part of the 2-504 and 2-508 Parachute Infantry Regiments, and the Training and Doctrine Command 2-11 Infantry Regiment, Hodge was at the front lines a year after enlistment, and in the years since has served three tours in Iraq and another three in Afghanistan.
Although Hodge trained for a full year before entering into battle, the experiences of being face to face with the devastation of war are something for which no one can be prepared.
“I thought I had a handle on it, but it was different once we got in,” he recalled. “We had vets with us, helping us along, but they trained us a lot. When you’re in battle you instinctively go to your training. Training is key to keeping alive.” But even the best of training isn’t a safeguard in war. “I have a lot of close buddies there, and I lost quite a few,” he noted.
After years of serving his country in foreign lands Hodge was released on medical retirement earlier this month and admits that it has been a struggle adjusting to civilian life.
“I miss it, being out there. I was getting ready for my seventh tour when they found out I had diabetes,” he said. The diabetes, along with the injuries to his back, knees and ankles, and the concussions from the years of jumping from planes all added up to medical retirement. He’s also dealing with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), a condition not uncommon to soldiers who have been exposed to traumatic events.
Like many service personnel who have returned home, Hodge may find his greatest battle will be adjusting to civilian life. For the moment, it’s about getting into a routine and providing for his wife Heather and three children, ages 9, 8 and 5. “Right now I’m just looking into some job opportunities and see what works out first.” Hodge will officially retire from the military on Feb. 19.
