Interview of Nicholas Contestabile by Philip Brasher
November 3, 2014
Sergeant Nicholas Contestabile is an Army veteran who served as a Military Police Officer. Over the course of his service, SGT Contestabile served in various locations including Germany and Afghanistan. During his service, he participated in various military schools in addition to his time at basic training. He graduated from the prestigious Air Assault School after winning a competition that awarded a slot to attend the school. The peak of SGT Contestabile’s career came during his period of service in Afghanistan.
In this interview, SGT Contestabile recalls his period of service from basic training through his current service in the Reserves. SGT Contestabile recalls specific instances in his career that defined his unique military experience. He focuses mainly on his basic training experience, Air Assault School experience, and deployment to Afghanistan. SGT Contestabile’s time in Afghanistan was shaped by an encounter with a vehicular improved explosive device; in the interview, he describes how the ensuing repercussions affected his subsequent experience in Afghanistan. The interview attempts to relate how SGT Contestabile’s military career has influenced his life as well as how it has shaped his current educational and occupational pursuits. SGT Contestabile describes how his three years on active duty provided a foundation for his life today.