Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Software, E-Resource Audio Recording Andrew James Chier Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: Iraq War, 2003-2011; Afghan War, 2001-
- Branch of Service: Air Force
- Service Unit/Ship: 451st Logistics Readiness Squadron; 273rd Engineering Installation Squadron, Texas Air National Guard; Air Force Reserve
- Location of Service: Beaumont, Texas; Lackland Air Force Base, Texas; Fort Gordon, Georgia; New Orleans, Louisiana; Balad, Iraq; Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/90701
Technical Sergeant Andrew James Chier signed up for the Texas Air National Guard in 2000, eventually switching to the Air Force Reserve. His unit was activated for service in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and he later deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. In his interview, he discusses his experiences as a gay Airman serving overseas both before and after the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and the support he received from his unit--and his partner--during a bout of Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
Andrew James Chier Collection
Interview / Recording
Transcript
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PlayDecision to enlist; signing up with his best friend at the time. 00:04:29.0 - 06:00.0
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PlayActivated in September 2005 to go to New Orleans; duties during Katrina; surreal experiences there. 00:15:24.0 - 00:20:11.0
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PlayDeploying to Iraq in 2007; stationed at Balad Air Base; living conditions; mortars and mortar alerts. 00:20:13.0 - 00:25:04.0
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PlayDriving wreckers and 18-wheeler trucks; driving outside the base; weathering rocket attacks. 00:26:46.0 - 00:29:20.0
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PlayDoing volunteer work at the main trauma hospital; difficulty in coping with seeing so many casualties. 00:31:16.0 - 00:34:21.0
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PlayWorking closely with team but not developing close friendships; keeping in touch with his partner; keeping his private life very private. 00:40:32.0 - 00:44:33.0
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PlayComing back to the States; contracting Guillain-Barre Syndrome; completely paralyzed for four or five months; hospitalization; partner spent time in hospital with him 00:47:04.0 - 00:50:13.0
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PlayDeployment to Afghanistan; duties as an aerial porter. 00:58:31.0 - 01:01:41.0
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PlayLiving conditions in Afghanistan; stationed in Kandahar; life as a gay soldier post-Don't Ask, Don't Tell; connecting with a gay subculture while in Afghanistan. 01:03:41.0 - 01:09:56.0
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About this Item
Title
- Andrew James Chier Collection
Names
- Ferry, David Anthony
- Chier, Andrew James
Home State
- Texas
Headings
- - Chier, Andrew James
- - Afghan War, 2001- -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Air Force.
- - Iraq War, 2003-2011 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Air Force.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- White
Status
- veteran
Service History
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Afghan War, 2001-
- Branch of Service: Air Force
- Location of Service: Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
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Iraq War, 2003-2011
- Branch of Service: Air Force
- Service Unit/Ship: 451st Logistics Readiness Squadron; 273rd Engineering Installation Squadron, Texas Air National Guard; Air Force Reserve
- Location of Service: Beaumont, Texas; Lackland Air Force Base, Texas; Fort Gordon, Georgia; New Orleans, Louisiana; Balad, Iraq
- Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
- Dates of Service: 2000
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Manuscript: Transcript [1 item] -- Transcription of audio recording (collected 2013-07-21)
- Audio: DVD [ item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2013-07-21; 2013-07-21)
- Photograph: Digital print [13 items] -- Photographs (collected 2000-2013)
- Computer File: DVD [1 item] -- Multiple types of electronic files (collected 2013-07-21; 2013-07-21)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/90701
Online Format
- online text
- image
- audio
Additional Metadata Formats
IIIF Presentation Manifest
Part of
Physical Form
Wars & Conflicts
Service Branch
Location of Service
- Balad, Iraq
- Beaumont, Texas
- Fort Gordon, Georgia
- Kandahar Air Base, Afghanistan
- Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
- New Orleans, Louisiana
Battles & Campaigns
Service Unit/Ship
- 273rd Engineering Installation Squadron, Texas Air National Guard
- 451st Logistics Readiness Squadron
- Air Force Reserve