Jean and Doug Chester received this week the best Christmas present they could have wished for – their son, Caleb, came home

from overseas deployment in Bahrain.

Caleb Chester, who is a 2011 graduate of Mohawk High School, said he left for Bahrain in December 2012. He arrived home Dec. 16.

Article Photos

PHOTO BY KAREN KIN
Caleb Chester (right) and his father, Doug, pose upon his return from Bahrain.

Even before his senior year of high school, Caleb said he knew he would serve his country in the U.S. military.

Chester said he “always wanted to be a soldier,” and went to the recruitment office at age 17 to sign a contract to serve in the Army.

The Army, he said, “welcomed me in,” and Chester signed a four-year agreement to defend, serve and protect the United States.

Chester’s mother, Jean, said because her son was a minor at the time of the contract, her signature on the document also was required. She said she questioned him before signing, hoping to ensure he was fully aware of the commitment to which he was agreeing.

Two weeks after graduating from Mohawk, Caleb left for basic training.

He said he traveled to Fort Jackson in South Carolina, where he completed the Army’s 10-week basic training regimen. After basic training, he said, he waited to see where the Army would station him.

That station turned out to be Bahrain, and, after Caleb left in December 2012, Jean said last year’s Christmas felt like “something was missing.”

She said she feels very blessed to have Caleb home this Christmas, and is proud of his strong service and significant accomplishments since joining the Army.

Caleb said he is a “task-oriented person,” and decided upon joining the Army he would “excel and exceed his peers” in the work he was given.

Since leaving for the service, he said, he has risen in rank from E3 to E5, and now is a sergeant.

While in Bahrain, he said, he worked with the air defense auxiliary, and his responsibilities during deployment meant “constant work.” Caleb said he is looking forward to relaxing during his time home.

After Christmas, Caleb said, he will be stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, where he will serve as a non-commissioned officer working in system maintenance. He said there is a possibility he will be deployed again in 2015, but no plans are definite at this time.

In the meantime, the Chesters will enjoy a special Christmas together, reunited after many months apart. For Jean, Doug, and other family members, saying Merry Christmas will no longer be followed by the question, “When is Caleb coming home?”