Empowering Veterans Through Connection and Support

Chuck was a native of Muscatine, Iowa. He enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in 1974 as an Infantryman. After attending basic training at MCRD, San Diego, CA, he attended Infantry School at Camp Pendleton, and then was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He was honorably discharged in 1976. He enlisted into the Iowa Army National Guard, 224th Engineers in 1987 and then enlisted into the US Army in January 1989. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., where he was deployed to Panama for “Just Cause” and then was deployed again to Saudi Arabia for “Operation Desert Shield/Storm.” He took an assignment in Germany for three years and then returned to Fort Benning until he was discharged in 1996. In 1997, he enlisted into the Iowa Army National Guard and accepted a position in the Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) program until he retired in 2009.

While with the Iowa Army National Guard, Geertz served five years as a Recruiter and served as a Readiness NCO. During this time, he also served as a Casualty Assistance Officer for five fallen soldiers.

His service schools include the Marine Corp Infantry School, Army Combat Engineer Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, Commercial and Residential Wiring Course, Advance Non-Commissioned Officers Course, and the US Army Combative Instructors Course.

His awards and badges include: 3 – Meritorious Service Medals, 3 – Army Commendation Medals, 7 – Army Achievement Medals, 5 – Army Good Conduct Medals, 1 – Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, 2 – National Defense Service Medals, 1- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the South West Asia Service Medal w/ 2 Bronze Stars, 1 – Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, 2 – Humanitarian Service Medals, 1 – Overseas Ribbon, the Kuwait Liberation Medal and several Certificate of Achievement.