This installment of 11 QUESTIONS features Robert Shimonski, UWVC volunteer and member of Team RWB. Originally from Long Island, Rob served in the Marine Corps from 1992 – 2000. He currently works at Northwell Health volunteers for events across NY for veterans in need.
- WHY DID YOU JOIN THE MILITARY?
I joined to experience being in the military and to travel, learn new skills and gain new experiences. - DO YOU HAVE VETERANS IN YOUR FAMILY?
I am the only U.S. Marine in my family. I have other family members that have been in both the Army and Navy. - WHERE DID YOU ENLIST?
I enlisted in Hicksville, NY. - WHAT WAS YOUR PRIMARY MOS/JOB?
My primary job (MOS) was 6114. I was a helicopter mechanic on UH-1N Huey’s and AH-1W Cobra’s. I worked on the Flight Line and taxied aircraft, got to fly on test missions, served as a quality assurance (QA) representative that signed up other mechanic’s
maintenance work and signed off aircraft safe for flight. When I exited active duty in 96, I joined a drilling reserve unit in Amityville NY (6th Communications Battalion) and became a platoon leader as an E6 Staff Sergeant. I went back to school and got a secondary MOS as a logistics/embarkation specialist 0431. - DO YOU REMEMBER THE NAME OF YOUR FIRST DRILL INSTRUCTOR?
Staff Sergeant Moore. - WHAT WAS THE WORST THING YOU ATE IN THE MILITARY?
Chow at the mess hall on an Air Force base we landed at on day for training. Ruined me forever. Saw how the other half lived. - WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE DAY IN THE MILITARY?
My most memorable day in the military was when I came home from my first deployment aboard ship, docked in California and disembarked. It was a long (and extended) deployment and I will never forget coming into view of U.S. land and knowing we would soon be home. - IF YOU COULD GO BACK TO THE DAY YOU GOT OUT OF THE MILITARY, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
I would tell my younger self that you made the right call because the reserves helped satisfy my desire to still serve and be around Marines, but I was able to make much more of an impact in my family, life, community and career moving back to NY after active duty. - DID YOU HAVE ANY VETERAN MENTORS?
I do! I look at every single person I have ever served with and those I am still meeting today (fellow veterans) as my mentors. I firmly believe that you can learn something from anyone and I am still learning day after day, especially from the old timers who served before me in the past. - WHAT WAS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT AS A VETERAN?
My proudest moment as a veteran was being able to be a part of rucking communities, teams, groups, clubs and events that help other veterans. I think that has become a big part of my life now. It helps me give back to those who need help, along with other like-minded individuals. - WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE/LEAST FAVORITE MILITARY-THEMED MOVIES?
My favorite (as of now) is Hacksaw Ridge. I just did a rucking event two weeks ago that honored medical personnel in the military and it gave me a new appreciation for those who help others in the medical field. I was impressed with the movie but more so who the movie honored. My least favorite military movie is Top Gun.