Sergeant Robert Niezwaag, Jr.

Robert Niezwaag’s motivation and decision to enlist in the United States Army started as a child. He had relatives who served in the military during the Vietnam conflict and he remembers their stories of inspiration, service and dedication. He enlisted in the Army after high school graduation and went on to serve for 13 years, including deployments to Iraq.

His life and ambitions changed from the moment he started basic training. But one of the most life changing experiences came when he suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during combat. He felt the stigma of having a mental illness firsthand and knew he needed to seek help.

During the course of counseling, Robert learned of the importance of mental health treatment and discovered a new calling. He enrolled in a local community college and then transferred to the University of Wyoming to pursue a master’s degree in social work. Robert’s goal is to become a clinical psychotherapist working with military veterans to help them “win the fight that is within.”