True Service: Local Veteran Robert VanArsdall Reflects on Worldwide Military Experiences

Local Veteran Robert VanArsdall Reflects on Worldwide Military Experiences

Writer / Kara Kavensky

Photographer / Michael Durr Additional Photography Provided

lying Apache helicopters was not the first job Rob VanArsdall had in mind when he joined the US Army in 2004. VanArsdall was a special electronic device repairer and worked at his battalion level S6 shop. He maintained computer networking and automation throughout the battalion and supported the companies below it. His responsibilities included establishing radio communications, setting up mobile phones and maintaining the tactical operations center. However, during his deployment in Iraq, VanArsdall watched the Apache helicopters flying overhead and inquired about helicopter flight training.

Transitioning from what was essentially an information technology (IT) department to becoming an aviator was an involved process, but kept him stateside for a while. Upon completion of his deployment to Iraq, VanArsdall and his family moved from Fort Durham, New York, to Alabama. VanArsdall attended Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Rucker - often referred to as Mother Rucker. He graduated approximately a year and a half later. The next leg of the VanArsdall family adventures took them to South Korea for three years.

“It was quite the whirlwind,” says VanArsdall, who was deployed to Iraq a mere two months after enlisting. “My wife Chrystal has been incredible along this journey.”

While in Korea, the VanArsdall family took advantage of their location and went to Hong Kong Disneyland and Guam for vacations. They also visited various locations around South Korea, including an indoor theme park and the beaches of Busan.

While in South Korea, VanArsdall spent much of his time in Apache helicopter training with the Republic of Korea Army, also known as ROK. VanArsdall and his copilot served as escorts, mainly to Black Hawk helicopters, in addition to joint training with the US Air Force and ROK. After the deployment to Korea, the VanArsdall family moved to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, which was their final military destination. It was then time to move back home to Indianapolis, and VanArsdall and Chrystal weighed their options.

“Even though I had over one thousand flight hours, a lot of aviation companies want at least twenty-five hundred,” VanArsdall says. “I had extensive IT experiences, so I looked around and was happy with an offer from Defenders.”

Chrystal also works at Defenders, which is a home security company.

Initially, the couple both worked as sales agents, competing with one another for top rankings in the company. Chrystal still works in the sales department, while VanArsdall moved to the IT department.

“Defenders believes that businesses don’t grow, people do - which creates a positive, encouraging place to work,” says VanArsdall, who expanded his skill set and enrolled in Eleven Fifty Academy, where he instructs on a part-time basis after his Defenders work hours. “I am now a developer working with JavaScript and C++, and I was able to use my GI Bill benefits at Eleven Fifty."

The decision to join the Army out of college was due to VanArsdall’s family, who has deep ties to the military. VanArsdall’s younger sister Michelle joined the Air Force National Guard prior to his Army enlistment. His grandfather and uncle were in the Navy, and his father worked at Naval Avionics in Indianapolis as a civilian engineer.

Now Available !

The Broad Ripple Magazine is now offering paid classified ads that will appear in our monthly print magazine!

Classifieds are perfect for: • Small businesses • Special announcements • Garage sales • Community events

Visit www.atBrip.com for more information. Deadline for the June issue is May 8, 2020.

BUSINESS SE R VICES C. L yon Productions 317-431-8557 clyonproductions.com - C. L yon Productions uses video as a powerful tool to tell your stor y . Do you need a promotional video or event coverage? W e creatively shoot and edit videos unique to our customers. W e are determined and passionate! No matter how big or small your project, we are going to put the same energy and care into your video. Four Day Ray Brewing 317-343-0200 fourdayra y .com - Four Day Ray Brewing o f fering weeklong curbside carryout. Open daily 1 1am to 8pm. Place your order online! Ohana Donuts & Ice Cream 317-590-7721 ohanaind y .com - Ohana will remain open and provide a curbside pickup service to ensure everyone feels as comfortable as possible picking up their sweet treats. Head online to ww w .ohanaind y .com and fill out an order form! W e are still open in-store for carryout options. HOME SE R VICES Fabric Care Cleaners 317-224-3212 W orking from home or busy home-schooling? Let Fab - ric Care Cleaners take laundry o f f your to-do list. With our free Gold Star Delivery Service, your laundry is picked up, cleaned and returned just how you like. Call to learn more about Indy ’ s most a f fordable convenience and schedule your service. ww w .fabriccarecente r .com COMMUNITY CLASSIFIEDS To submit your classified ads, visit TownePost.come/classifieds. Deadline for next month is May 8, 2020.

Collective Alternative 317-436-8499 collectivealternative.com/pandemic/ - Collective Alternative is providing free marketing support, communication tips, tools and resources to help small businesses. Join us every Thursday at 1 1am ES T to brainstorm marketing ideas specific to your business and discuss possible solutions.

Family Counseling Associates fcahelp.com Serving the community for over 25 years, our team of counselors, therapists & medication providers are ready to guide you on your path to healing and change. Now o f fering T elehealth! W e are excited to o f fer you the convenience of online counseling including individual therap y , couples counseling & medication mgmt. Inspire Results Business Coaching 317-908-5809 inspireresults.com - As a business owne r , you’re expected to have all the answers for your employees. At Inspire Results Business Coaching, we understand the pressure you’re under and we are here to help you through this trying time. CAR R Y OUT + DELIVE R Y Board and Y ou 317-376-3612 boardandyou.com - Board and Y ou has crafted the perfect ingredients for your appetite. V arious Graze boxes and Board sizes are available. Due to the current circumstances, we are more than happy to deliver right to your front porch. Check out our website to place your orde r . Thank you so much for choosing to eat local. Breedlove Dobbs Heating and Cooling 317-888-9 1 1 1 - breedlovedobbs.com - Breedlove Dobbs Heating and Cooling, a family-owned com - pany since 1974, o f fers heating and air conditioning maintenance, repairs, 24/7 emergency service, installation, duct cleaning, air qualit y , and geother - mal heating. W e o f fer flexible scheduling and our service technicians have completed the highest standards of training.

Bozzelli Insurance bozzelliins.com Bozzelli Insurance is your local, personal, full ser - vice Insurance Agency providing you solutions for Auto, Home, Life, Business, Umbrella, and all other forms of Insurance. W e have Y our future Protected. Connect with us today! 317-451-9501 Comforts of Home Pet Sitting 317-260-1082 ComfortsOfHomePetSittingLLC.com - Providing quality pet care since 2009 in our communit y . W e come to your home to provide your pets loving care at a f fordable prices. W e o f fer morning, daytime, and evening pet visits and dog walks. Our mission is to make tails wag, cats pur r , and people smile. Insured & bonded.

Hoosier BBQ Grill Clean hoosierbbqclean.com W e transform your grill using proprietar y , eco-friend ly cleaning solutions. W e eliminate all that grease and grime that keep your unit from grilling its best. And we’re a ‘zero-touch ’ business - you don’t even need to be there when we renew your BBQ!

Geist Glow 317-308-0813 Geist Glow which o f fers mobile tanning services, which will meet you anywhere, whether at home, at work, or at a hotel. Basically I bring everything to you (or you may come to me if you feel more comfortable). Godby Hearth & Home godbyhearth.com Godby Hearth and Home o f fers the best selection of grills, fireplaces, fireplace accessories, custom shower doors, outdoor living selections and custom glass. Our knowledgeable consultants will walk you through the entire process to select the right quality products to fit your needs. Lady and Associates, Real Estate Services 317-605-3402 - Over 22 years of Real Estate Sales experience and 13 years of Appraisal experience! Appraisal services include: improved residential, bare land, and commercial with a specialization in Eminent Domain.

EN G AGEMENTS/ANNIVERSARIES

Burritos and Beer Restaurant 317-845-9527 burritosbee r .com - Straight out of mom ’ s kitchen! Family owned and operated. W e provide authentic Mexican food that ’ s prepared by hand from family recipes, using only the best ingredients available to achieve mouth-watering authentic meals. Get one free kids taco meal with purchase two adult entrees!

Designer Resource 317-965-5788 Collaborating with clients to create spaces that are fresh & functional, while pushing the design enve - lope. Designer Resource is a Full Service Interior Design Firm rooted in Fishers. W e are equipped to help your space reach its Full Potential from Concept through Completion. Est. 2000

Nevins Anniversary - Congrats to Josh and Carly L yons Nevins on their 3 year anniversary! W e’re so happy to see you both so happ y . Here ’ s to many more! Love Mom & Dad.

Michael ’ s Floor Care 317-752-8944 michaelsfloorcare.com - W e clean floors - carpet, wood, tile, laminate, concrete, etc. for residential and commercial clients. W e will also sanitize any floor with hospital grade disinfectant! Michael ’ s does minor grout repai r , grout staining and o f fer extremely durable sealants for almost any floor that are anti-bacterial. W e are here to help!

“My cousin was a big influence on my enlisting,” says VanArsdall, who served for twelve years. “At the time of enlistment, several things were going on in my life at once. We welcomed our firstborn, Caleb, into the world. I had almost $50,000 in student loan debt. The Army was offering student loan repayment, a guaranteed job and health care. The decision to enlist was rather easy and I wouldn’t have had the experience I had without a very supportive wife and family.”

VanArsdall is grateful for his experience flying an AH-64 Apache helicopter, and for the friendships he made during his time serving. He is also thankful for what the Army has given him both personally and professionally.

“We had a sign hanging on our wall that said, ‘Home is where the Army sends us’, with a list of bases where we were stationed,” VanArsdall says. “Every time we moved, it was like a new chapter in our book - a new opportunity that the Army gave us.”

HealthMarkets Insurance Agency Health | Medicare | Small Group | Life | Supplemental

Finding the coverage you need is hard.

I Can Help!

Contact me today for your FREE quote!

Danna Green Licensed Insurance Agent 317-430-7094 dgreen@healthmarkets.com

HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, Inc. is licensed as an Insurance agency in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Service and product availability varies. Premiums charged by a carrier for a particular insurance product must be consistent; regardless of whether you buy it from HealthMarkets Insurance Agency, from a competing agency or directly from the insurance company.