Gillette 40 year old enters Army to fulfill dream, provide for family

GILLETTE — Every night before bedtime, Doug Schermetzler video chats his family in Gillette from his temporary home at Fort Huachuca in Arizona.

On the calls, his oldest, Emily, tells him a little about the things she accomplished at elementary school or at home. His youngest, 3-year-old James, babbles at him, making sounds the toddler’s began to associate with his own style of words.

Schermetzler’s wife Leah is able to hear his voice and see him interact with their children, something she misses watching on a daily basis. The evening calls are an increase from the weekly calls Schermetzler was allowed while in basic training but a far cry from the bedtime and after-work routine his children and wife once knew.

The family of four was used to Schermetzler arriving home after work and diving into child supervision or making dinner. In November, that reality flipped when Schermetzler began his new career path, a decision to join the Army at 40 years old.

“It’s been emotionally hard for both of us,” Leah said Tuesday. “But having those calls each night has been wonderful. It’s really helped make the distance so it’s not not-hard, but a little easier.”

Schermetzler said being away from family has been the most difficult part of his new journey but he always reminds himself that a large part of his decision boiled down to how he could best provide for them. Some of his decision also came down to making good on a childhood dream he’s carried into adulthood — a dream of flying.

While Schermetzler found out in the last few years he’s unable to fly commercial planes as he’d once hoped, he’s adapted his dream, now going through the training needed to fly unmanned Army vehicles, something akin to massive drones.

Earlier this month, the 40-year-old completed the first checkpoint toward that future as he graduated alongside about 700 soldiers in a ceremony at the Fort Jackson Army Training Center in South Carolina. The private second class even managed to surprise some of his family members who made the trip, when he was recognized and awarded with an achievement medal for his “exceptionally meritorious performance” and selection as soldier leader.

“It’s definitely a sense of pride that at 40 years old I can still step up and do this with the young kids,” he said, adding that he wouldn’t have been able to achieve his success without the support of his wife, children and family.

Finding success

Sara Cage, Schermetzler’s sister, said she’s incredibly proud of her younger brother and his decision to try and make his dream come true, even if at first, she and other family members were a little shocked by his announcement.

“We were all like, ‘You’re having a midlife crisis,’” she said with a laugh. “Just the, you’re too old, mentality. But it’s really been positive and shows kids and adults that they can do anything.”

Cage and some more of Schermetzler’s family traveled to South Carolina to enjoy a family day with the graduating soldier and experience a little of what his life looked like in the last 10 months of boot camp, an experience Cage won’t soon forget. She’s watched her brother grow up, tinkering with different tech in his room or taking apart a computer before putting it back together.

Graduation night, she was able to tell him how proud she is of the quiet, resilient man he’s become.

“I said, ‘It’s you. It’s your time to shine, kid. You should be so incredibly proud of yourself,’” she said.

Schermetzler remains humble about his decision and the honors he’s received. He remains focused on achieving a version of his dream but also providing for his family.

“Looking into the military option was heavily influenced by my wife and kids,” he said. “I hope that they see my willingness to do whatever I can do to make life better for them.”

Only after lengthy discussions with Leah did Schermetzler decide to move forward with his interest in becoming an Army drone pilot. He credits the Gillette Army recruiter for his help providing information and being honest with the new recruit about what the training and time away would entail.

Because of his age, Schermetzler said he had to apply for an age waiver, since the Army typically only enlists through the age of 35. He didn’t let that stop him and instead looked up the different requirements he’d need to prepare himself.

He encouraged anyone who’s interested to look into different military branches or talk to recruiters.

“The military can give you experience that’s hard to get anywhere else,” he said. “Outside of the military, this aviation training is practically nonexistent and not really in the civilian world.”

That experience and Schermetzler’s ability to live out his dream are what Leah relies on as a way to cope with the distance between herself and her husband. She and Cage both look to Schermetzler as a role model for others — young or old.

“A lot of people, once they get past a certain age, maybe in their 20s, they think, ‘It’s too late’ or ‘I’m too old,’” Leah said. “Well, not if it means enough to you. Not if it’s worth it enough to you.”

Now awaiting his next level of training in Arizona, Schermetzler said he’s excited to learn more about where his passion for flying will take him. At the same time, he and the rest of his family also eagerly anticipate his return home.

This story was published on February 24, 2024. 

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