Roscoe Robinson

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Mike Coulman on July 27, 1998:

As a Captain, FA/Aviator in 1977, I had reached the decision (based on no opportunities for my year group to remain in aviation) to separate from active duty. I was the DivArty Aviation Section Leader at the time; a job that was one of the best I've ever held. 14 OH-58s, 13 Warrant Officer aviators, and me. As this tour came to an end, and my decision to leave the Army finalized with paperwork from DA, I faced the awful prospect of having to discuss my decision with a general officer. This was the practice at that time for any regular officer separating. To my great fortune, MGen Robinson was CG of the 82nd. I entered his office with some trepidation fully expecting a royal butt chewing, particularly since I was a West Pointer. What transpired was a fatherly discussion, devoid of any accusations or attempts to demean my decision. Gen Robinson asked me simply for my reasons for leaving. I explained the lack of aviation opportunities and mentioned in passing that our 5 year old son had been born with a cleft palate and lip and was facing several years of surgery and perhaps some stability would be better for supporting that effort. I told him I had some guilt in leaving, having been given 4 superb years of education at the Academy, far short of the career I had declared and "signed on" for. His comment was simple, direct and I now understand to be classic Robinson: He asked me when I graduated (1970), said I'd satisfied my commitment and then He said, "Mike, life is too short to be involved in an avocation that you don't truly love." "You also need to place your family's needs in perspective." He encouraged me to go do great things in corporate America. I have never forgotten that display of leadership/mentorship. Not because he let me off the hook--When I left, I remember wishing he HAD chewed me out. I would have felt better. As it was, I left feeling dejected about bailing out on a great American and a great Division. Life takes strange paths. I left the Army shortly thereafter and about a year and a half after beginning a career with Corning Glass Works as a production engineer, I had the opportunity to re-enter active duty. The Marine Corps was very short on helicopter pilots. I applied for an interservice transfer from the Army reserves (I kept a reserve commission) to the active Marine Corps. I was accepted, regained a regular commission and proceeded to spend the next 18 years in the Marine Corps, retiring in 96 as a Col. Our son was well cared for at Duke University throughout his corrective surgeries and is now a Marine Captain just beginning his advanced helicopter training at NAS Whiting Field near Pensacola. General Robinson's leadership and compassion stayed with me. I never forgot his wonderful manner and class and certainly his message of taking care of your people. Truly a great American, a great Soldier, and a great Man. *** WP-FORUM post by: COULMAN Michael Alan 1970 29474 E-3

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