Oral History Interview with John J. Bodzislaw

[Interview Begins]

RIEWESTAHL: Today is July 21st and this interview is taking place at the Spooner Memorial Library. My name is Emily Riewestahl, and I'm here interviewing John about their military service.

BODZISLAW: My name is John Bodzislaw, and I'm a U.S. Army veteran.

RIEWESTAHL: Okay. And can you start by sharing a little bit about your connection to Washburn County?

BODZISLAW: So, yeah, I graduated high school from Shell Lake High School in 2003. I've lived here after I got out of the service. We moved back here. I want to say. 2010ish. Yeah. It was around, it was around 2014, actually. We moved back up into this area. So I've been in and out in Washburn County for since I was in high school. Best way to put it.

RIEWESTAHL: So what led you to serve in the military?

BODZISLAW: I needed something to do after high school. Um, I didn't do great. 00:01:00It, uh, I didn't do the greatest in school, Not because of the academics of it or stuff, it was just my home life was rough, so I didn't attend school like I should, so I didn't. College at that time wasn't an option. Um, I did want to go to college at some point. The Army, you know, with the GI Bill and all that, offers a way to get your college paid for and all that. I also wanted to round myself as a person. I was kind of like booksmart in school. So I wanted to kind of round out who I was as a person. Um, and I thought it'd be cool. [Laughs] So.

RIEWESTAHL: And why did you choose the Army?

BODZISLAW: Honestly, it was because the recruiter--at the time I was in Northwoods School, high school, and an Army recruiter showed up one day and was 00:02:00showing cool videos and stuff. So it was pretty much he was the first one to get to me. In high school, I was interested in like Air Force. I wanted to be a aeronautical engineer, but air Force recruiters are notoriously hard to find [laughs]. They're never in their office and stuff. So yeah, it was kind of just what I fell on. And then I also had a, a cousin that I looked up to and he was in the National Guard. So that kind of drew me to it, too.

RIEWESTAHL: What kind of videos did they show that got you interested in?

BODZISLAW: Well, for I, I was a scout in the Army. And the video they showed for that was these guys riding around on dune buggies and dirt bikes and all this cool stuff. And I was like, Oh, that's awesome. I want to do that. Come to find out that that's not what it's all about. But, you know, they did a good job of 00:03:00promoting the job in that video, and that's what I ended up doing [laughs].

RIEWESTAHL: And so when did you serve?

BODZISLAW: Um, I was active duty from 2003 to 2006, and then I was medically retired from the service.

RIEWESTAHL: And did you have any expectations about what life in the military would be like, like when you joined?

BODZISLAW: It's hard to remember exactly what I thought it was going to entail at the time. It wasn't like I thought it was going to be. I remember that. Yeah. It's. Yeah, it's. It was so long ago, it's hard to remember exactly what I thought it was going to be. I just know that it wasn't what I expected at all. So it's not like it is in the movie at all.

RIEWESTAHL: Can you tell me a little bit about what you remember about like boot camp or training?

BODZISLAW: It sucked [laughs]. I mean, it's one of the hardest things. But, you know, I don't know, it's not one of, how to put it, it's tough, you know, because they're preparing you for war, especially as a combat MOS or job. They have to train you for that. So they really ride you and like tried to simulate the stresses of that even though they can't completely. They do the best they can. And most of those drill sergeants really care about their soldiers and stuff. So they want. They want to prepare you the best they can for it, so they ride you hard. But it's for a purpose. It's not like they're just being mean to 00:05:00be mean to you. Yeah. So combat jobs in the army, they don't do like a basic and advanced training part. They wrap it all up in one. So I actually did something called OSUT, which is One Station Unit Training. So instead of like doing eight weeks of basic training and then however long your advanced training is going to be, it's like 16 weeks of constant training and there's different phases through it. It starts off rough because they're constantly--drill sergeants have to constantly be with you and and you have like no privileges, nothing for a while. And then as time goes, as you prove yourself throughout, it gets, you know, you get more privileges can go to the PX more. Once in a while, maybe go see a movie, if you're lucky, if your drill sergeant's nice. So, yeah, it's you know, 00:06:00you get--Like as a scout, we got trained on a lot of different weapons and stuff and that's that's really cool. So, like, I was trained in all kinds of, you know--like a guy, you know, any kind of guy that grows up in this area, like, guns are cool, you know. Like, so, like .50 cals and Mk 19's. All that stuff was awesome. And then, of course, there's like, you know, the physical training and stuff. That's it's hard, but it prepares you. You come out of it a lot more in shape than you were [laughs] before you went in there. I don't know what else to say about--it's, basic training is basic training, I guess, OSUT or whatever you want to call it.

RIEWESTAHL: What do you think helped you get through it?

BODZISLAW: You just kind of put your head down and keep going [laughs]. That's 00:07:00the best thing. You know, anything in the military is like that. You know, you can't think about, can't--there's a saying "embrace the suck." You know, you just kind of roll with the punches and just don't think about how crappy of a situation you're in at the moment and you just keep going and hopefully pop out on the other side [laughs].

RIEWESTAHL: And then when you started, where were you stationed?

BODZISLAW: For basic training, or after training?

RIEWESTAHL: I guess both.

BODZISLAW: Okay, well, I attended the OSUT, or basic training, in Fort Knox, Kentucky, from there. I was stationed in Germany. When I was in Germany, we were deployed to Iraq for a year and I went back to Germany for a short time, and then I got stationed in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Fort Knox, or Fort Carson, Colorado. And then I ended up being medically retired from there.

RIEWESTAHL: And what was life like in Germany, you know, from small town Wisconsin?

BODZISLAW: On base, you know, it's not like, not much different than anywhere else in the States or anything like that. Outside? You know, like visiting the towns and stuff, it's completely different. I mean, it's different culture, different country. I had lots of fun, lots of old history to see. Like I visited Neuschwanstein [Castle, Bavaria, Germany] and the Eagle's Nest and stuff down by Austria and did some road trips to Belgium and France and stuff. But yeah, it was, that was a really cool experience and I couldn't, you know, put a price on it. That was--It was awesome. I just really enjoyed it. You know, the food, the people. You know, at the age I was at too, it was like, I graduated high school. 00:09:00I was in Germany, like when I was like 19. And overseas you're allowed to drink and stuff when you're 18 or whatever the country you're in, and Germany and all, you know, it's 18. So did a lot of, you know, going out with friends and stuff and typical. You know, or, you know, typical or early 20 things, you know, but in a different country and a lot of cool things to see. It was neat.

RIEWESTAHL: Do you have, like, any memorable stories from your times in Germany?

BODZISLAW: That I want recorded [laughter]?

RIEWESTAHL: That you want recorded.

BODZISLAW: No. I got the opportunity to visit Dachau with, actually, my wife, Angie. She was over there at the time. That was really, you know, it's not like a cool, you know, I don't want to say cool, or what, it's really like, ah--I'm 00:10:00glad I learned more about that. Put something tangible to something you read in history books and stuff. So that whole experience was really, you know, it's one of those things that I probably wouldn't have an opportunity to do on my own. The Army. Because I was in the army, I was able to do that. And really eye-opening, sobering experience, but one that I wouldn't trade for the world, I guess. So yeah, that was probably the, the coolest thing I did. Not cool. You know, I don't want to say cool--the subject matter of that whole--but just visiting these historical areas and having experience with that firsthand really broadens your perception of, you know, the world. And you can't. A lot of people 00:11:00don't get that. So I was privileged to be able to do so.

RIEWESTAHL: You said you served as a scout. Can you explain a little bit about the kind of, what the roles or responsibilities of the scout is?

BODZISLAW: Okay. So in the Army, they're called Calvary Scouts. MOS 19 Delta [MOS 19D]. They're responsible for--it's it's a weird job, but the main aspect is to collect reconnaissance so, you know, troop locations, um, equipment like what the enemy equipment is. Sometimes you survey roads and stuff, make sure like other equipment can get through. They like to say, like the Scouts are like the eyes and ears of the Army. So we're out there. Like, if we're collecting the information that the commanders and stuff are using to make their decisions on, 00:12:00you know, tactical operations and stuff. So it's and. Yeah. It's like, kind of like a jack-of-all trades job in the Army. You trained on armored vehicles, like tankers and stuff, but you're also trained and disciplined to do dismounted operations. Like infantry. Yeah.

RIEWESTAHL: Do you have any particular experiences while you were serving as a Cavalry Scout that you'd like to share?

BODZISLAW: That I'd like to share. That's a hard question. Um. Might have 00:13:00to think about that.

RIEWESTAHL: We can circle back to it if you want to.

BODZISLAW: Yeah, circle back to that one.

RIEWESTAHL: Do you recall the day that your service ended?

BODZISLAW: Not completely, because it was. It's a whole process separating from the military. It takes weeks, you know, because you've got to go and get cleared from all these places. When I was in Colorado Springs at the time, Angie was living with me. And I found out about my heart condition and the process started for all that. And it was it was a bittersweet day. The unit I was with at the time was due to deploy again. So that was hard because I had, you know, a lot of those, the unit I was in, a lot of those guys didn't have, even though they were in Iraq and stuff and have actual combat experience. So it was kind of hard leaving them knowing that, you know, I could assist and help with that, having 00:14:00experience in actual combat. At the same time, I was ready to get on with my life too. Um. Yeah, it's just one of those--It's a mixed feelings thing. All your friends and stuff. You're leaving them, you know, all the people that you've worked with and formed, you know, a camaraderie with or a bond. And then you're just, you're just gone. You know, you say your goodbyes. And so that's a sad thing. But at the same time, it's--I don't want to go. I didn't want to go to Iraq [laughs], you know, again [laughs], you know. So I was happy that I wasn't going back. But at the same time, I was, I wish I could be going again to 00:15:00help those guys, you know, because you do it all for your brothers and your sisters. You know, that's what, how you get through stuff like that. All the patriotism and doing these righteous things or whatever, you know, whatever, that's not what it's about. At the end of the day, you're accountable to the guy that you're you're standing next to and you make a deal with them, like, either I'll do the best that I can to make sure you come home and I do the same for you. So the fact that I was not able to continue that--It was a hard thing.

RIEWESTAHL: Were you able to keep in touch with anyone, often?

BODZISLAW: Um, some people. Um, I have a really good NCO that I had when I was in Germany and stuff that we talked to each other almost every day, actually. And a really good guy. You know, I have a really good friend. He lives in Ohio. 00:16:00It's not every day. But we talk to each other, you know, maybe every other week and stuff. So, yeah, I do. I keep in touch with some of them. And then other ones, you see, you know, your friends on Facebook and stuff. So you pop in every once and again. So.

RIEWESTAHL: What did you go on to do after your service?

BODZISLAW: Oh, nothing [laughs]. No, I was trying to go to school for a computer or, like, networking and stuff. That ended up, I ended up dropping out of that because my, my youngest daughter was born and Angie had a job and we wanted a parent at home with the child. So. So yeah, I, I'm a stay at home dad now. So.

RIEWESTAHL: That's a job, yeah.

BODZISLAW: Yeah, it's, it's not an easy job either, you know?

RIEWESTAHL: And reflecting back on all of this, what does your military service mean to you now?

BODZISLAW: It's a big part of who I see, how I see myself as a person. Yeah. I 00:17:00mean, it's part of my story. It's one of those things. I don't know if I'd make the same choice again if I had knowledge now than I did then. But I wouldn't change that it happened. There's a lot of pain and suffering because of it, but it's made me have insights into things that other people wouldn't. It's made-- It's like I said, when I--One of the other questions--I wanted to round myself as a person that's done that in a lot of ways. Gave me some direction and motivation. Well, yeah, it's just part of my identity. I don't know who I would 00:18:00be without that.

RIEWESTAHL: So what advice would you give to anyone thinking about joining the service now?

BODZISLAW: Huh? Think hard about it. Make sure that's what you want to do. I'm not telling anyone not to do it. It's just, you know, anything in the military. It's. It's war. War is horrible. But, you know, there's times when we need people that are willing to do that. You know, just think really hard about that decision and how it's going to change your life. And you have no idea how how it's going to at that time that you're making that decision. So just keep that in mind. There's a lot of benefits to it. You do a lot of cool things. At the 00:19:00end of the day, it's you might end up in a war zone. So just-- it's one of the biggest decisions you make of your life, and take the time to think about it and how it's going to affect you and those around you before you decide.

RIEWESTAHL: And is there anything else that you'd like to add to this interview that I haven't asked about or we haven't covered yet?

BODZISLAW: Um, no, it's--I'm proud to have served my country. It's--I paid a price for that and I'd pay that price again if I had to.

[Interview Ends]