Preparing for a civilian career…20 years later

Shortly after CW4 (R) Robert Rounds joined the Army as an E-1, he thought the scariest part of his career would be jumping out of airplanes. However, three months later he was deployed to Saudi Arabia as one of the first troops deployed to support Operation Desert Shield.   

His career included working as an intelligence analyst who led and trained the enlisted soldiers in his field as well as being an adviser to the commander.

Robert was working as a restaurant manager when he decided to enlist in the Army that led him to a 20-year Army career. 

“I was working 100 hours a week with a wife and baby but I had a desire to do something more rewarding,” recalls Robert. “As a child I wanted to fly jets, but when my eyesight nixed that dream I forgot about the military for a while.”

Years later when he went to visit the recruiter, he already knew that he wanted to be in the intelligence field. At the time he wasn’t sure how long he planned to serve, but he wanted a skill that would transfer to the civilian world. Turns out it would help him later on; he just didn’t know that opportunity wouldn’t come until 20 years later. After retiring, Robert now works as a defense contractor, still supporting the troops. 

During his career in the Army, Robert was chosen by Lieutenant General Custer, who was in charge of intelligence training for all Army soldiers, to write the 2004 version of the Warfighter’s Guide. Throughout his time in the service, he was assigned to Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities (TENCAP) units operating and fielding the latest intelligence collection, processing and dissemination systems. 

His fondest memory from his time serving was briefing General Shinseki (Chief of Staff of the Army), Lieutenant General Wallace (V Corps Commander), Major General Blount (3rd Infantry Division Commander) and Colonel Boltz (V Corps G-2) on current operations in Iraq while deployed to Kuwait before Operation Iraqi Freedom.

A 20-year career gave Robert many opportunities to meet and work with others and today he’s still friends with many of his former soldiers, especially ones from his last tour in Germany. 

“My closest friend to this day is John Gordon that I met while still in training,” said Robert. “We talk weekly and our families even vacation together.”

Robert was born and raised on the Mississippi River in Burlington, Iowa, and went fishing and duck hunting on his uncle’s boats as a young boy. Over the years since retiring from the Army, Robert and his wife Kristin have taken several vacations where they have rented a lake house and a boat to enjoy there. Now they finally own their own boat and couldn’t be more excited.

“Our boat is a 2008 Palm Beach 200 Castmaster or rather it used to be,” joked Kristin. “We got it and tore it down to the `toons and then built it back up with the options that we wanted.”

The boat looks like new and the couple’s favorite activity is pulling the kids and grandkids on a tube. 

“I prefer to flip the kids off the tube at the end,” says Robert with a smile. “I also enjoy just boating around the lake and hanging out at the sandbar, relaxing in the sun.”

After sacrificing so much of your life to serve our country, you deserve some relaxing time on your pontoon and that’s why we salute you.