EDINBURG – In 2014, Henry Castro enlisted in the U.S. Air Force after speaking with a recruitment officer at legacy institution UT Pan American. Castro began boot camp in San Antonio three months later, describing it as challenging and life changing.
After boot camp, Castro proceeded to train at Fort Sam Houston as an airspace medical technician, which he referred to as the lowest point of his military career.
“There was a lot of suicides that happened, and it was in the same career that I had,” Castro said. “I was like, is that going to be me?”
Castro returned to the university after finishing his duty. He tells KVAQ-TV that transitioning back to civilian life is generally difficult for most veterans.
Castro is continuing his studies as a business major and says he is grateful for his time in the U.S. Air Force.
Castro says veteran counseling services were very important to his post-military life.
“They had these military life counselors; she’s what helped me get through because I was just going through a hard time, problems with family and all the suicides that happened,” Castro said. “It was just a lot for me to handle.”
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