USA Cares helps Service Member Get To Next Level in Life and Career
Army Specialist Anthony Tubolino fulfilled a long-planned goal when he enlisted and became a military police (MP) officer via the National Guard and Reserve.
A career in law enforcement was something the military brat knew he wanted even before he graduated from high school. So when he followed in his father’s footsteps and enlisted straight out of high school, he trained all his efforts on becoming an MP.
“College is good and fine, but in the military, you get real life skills. It’s something you can only get in the military. I knew that my military experience was going to help me be a better (civilian) police officer.”
“I joined the military police because that was the most sensible thing for me to do in the long run,” said Anthony, 20. “I wouldn’t trade what I’ve learned in the military for anything. I’m young, but because of the military, I’ve got experience that a 30 or 40 year old does not.”
“But USA Cares made it alright. It’s the way they treat you; the way they put it out there.”
He served one tour in Iraq where his job was to enforce policy and protect life and property on military installations in the Middle East.
When he returned home in late 2011, he was placed into part-time work in the Reserves, which instantly reduced his pay to only about $200 for weekend drills.
“I just saw this as a time to move to the next stage,” he said. So he started applying at police departments all over the country. In April, 2012, he landed a chance to interview with a major city in Texas.
But with only income from weekend drills, he was strapped to afford the travel and hotel fees.
“My military recruiter told me about USA Cares. So I called.”
With funds donated from a grateful American public, USA Cares assisted Anthony with $495. 90 to cover his plane fare and hotel stay during the cross country trip. “I had no other way to get there,” he said.
“It wasn’t easy,” to ask for the help, he said.
“The support is helping me achieve my plan. I want a career in both the military and civilian law enforcement. I figure if I can save 100 others, I can save 200 more,” said Anthony.
“USA Cares really went beyond anything I could have done for myself,” he said, “and they were always asking what more I needed.”
