Operation Homefront Gives Home To Vet With 24 Years of Service
Rob can barely remember the details of the attack or injuries he suffered in Afghanistan, or even most of his life before that day. But now he can live out his retirement in a home donated to him by Operation Homefront and Chase, as part of the Homes on the Homefront program. It's located just miles away from where he grew up in Apopka, FL. Hopefully now he can relax and enjoy the way of life he fought so hard to protect.
Here is his story...Robert McIntyre has been a man on a mission from day one. Enlisting in the Army in 1986 at the age of 17, Rob knew what he wanted to do with his life, go out and fight for his country. After 24 years of heroic service, it is amazing that he has seen his life come full circle.
After graduating high school a year early in South Dade County, FL, he had his parents sign a waiver for him to enlist in the Army before the normal minimum age. Starting out in the Airborne Infantry, Rob was a quick learner and soon moved up to the top of his class, earning him the Airborne School “Soldier of the Day” award twice. This landed him in highly specialized units of Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols (LRRP’s) as a scout observer, often times finding himself gathering intelligence during the Cold War in Europe.
Rob then went on to enroll at the US Military Academy, West Point, to focus on his education after the collapse of the Berlin Wall. Earning both his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Computer Science, he was able to put his degree to work doing coding and cyber security after the attacks of 9/11. Rob took pride in this job for years, protecting his country. This also allowed him to be able to move to South Carolina to take care of his parents in 2008.
While there, Rob decided to join the National Guard for something to keep him active. Once the higher-ups found out about his background and his knowledge of planes, they soon transferred him over to the Joint Operations Center to work as an aircraft mechanic and help train troops through the Vigilant Guard. Moving up to Lieutenant, Rob was now able to train gunners for the war in Afghanistan.
This training sparked the fire in him to get into action. go over and fight once again. He didn’t care about his rank; he just wanted to get over there as fast as he could. Re-enlisted in the Army, re-classed as an E-4 Specialist, bags packed and ready to go, Rob was eager to get out there.
Stationed in Afghanistan, Rob found himself in the middle of one of the most dangerous bases in the region, Forward Operating Base Salerno. Nicknamed “Rocket City,” this base was always under attack from mortars, rocket fire, and even attempts from suicide bombers trying to overrun the airfields.
During one of these attacks, Rob was severely injured from an explosion caused by the insurgents. The following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) left him recovering in a hospital for the next two years, and ultimately lead to his retirement in 2010.
We are honored to be able to award such a deserving hero this wonderful home.