Interviewed by:

Doug Bezio and John Shortis

I knew what I had signed up for...

I knew it was a possibility of getting deployed at some point...

When they called on me, I just did my job.

~James Dubis (28:15)

James Dubis' Story:

James Dubis started his military career as a Preventive Medicine Specialist in Kuwait. He then re-trained using his civilian licenses to become an equipment operator. He grew up in Chatham, Massachusetts where he would earn his licenses in Construction. Before finishing high school, James needed money to go to college so he came to the conclusion that his best shot at paying for college, would be to enlist in the military.

James Dubis was a member of the Boy Scouts growing up and achieved the highest rank of Eagle Scout. He had an advantage when joining the army over other enlistees because of this rank and they ended up giving him an E2 rank to start with as opposed to the standard E1 rank where most soldiers begin. Part of James’ training in the National Guard was for his battalion to build a school clinic in Honduras after Hurricane Mitch devastated the local buildings. Building this school clinic was one of James' proudest achievements.

When James and his battalion were stationed in Kuwait, they were directly attached to Fort Arifjan which meant that they had better conditions than in some of the other places in the Middle East. James’ main job in the military was to grate off platforms and build tent cities for civilians, make mobile hospital pads, and build barricades to ward off enemies. The skills that Mr. Dubis learned in the military translated back into his life in Chatham. Although James said that he did not endure too many hardships during the war, he would not like to go back because the hardest part about being in the war was being away from his family.

James said that he would recommend going into the air force or other branch of the military, but to stay the whole twenty years to receive full veteran's benefits. James now works in a construction business and continues to live in Chatham with his wife and daughter.

He served from 1995 to 2003, earning the rank of E5 Sergeant. His decision to enlist, and to serve in the military is honorable, and deserving of thanks from the people of the United States.