Darren Hooker -Veteran profile

• Name: Darren Hooker

Courtesy photoDarren Hooker served in the U.S. Army and New Mexico National Guard

• Military background: U.S. Army: 1986-1996 and New Mexico National Guard: 1996-2008

• Current career: Roosevelt County sheriff

• What was one of your most significant military experiences, which stood out in your mind?

Going to airborne school was a dream come true. I was able to overcome fears and then once assigned to an airborne unit, I was paid for doing what I enjoyed.

Airborne school is three weeks long and the first week, they separate the men from the boys; second week, they separate the men from the fools and in the third week, the fools jump (laughs). Airborne school for me was just something that I was very proud of and have been ever since getting my wings. I went on to become a jump master, which allowed me to get my master parachutist wings. I did 67 jumps in all.

• How did that particular situation impact you as a person/professional?

It just showed me that no matter what situation the situation is, I can make it through it.

• What were the most important lessons and/or ethics you learned from your time in the service?

Wow, so many things that I learned in the military: Hurry up and wait, patience, you always have a boss, respect and you can only changes the things you can affect, perspective.

The Army taught me how to have patience. Anyone who has served in the military has heard of hurry up and wait. That is where I learned to not get excited about things, especially the things I can not change. While in the Army, I was trained as a military policeman, which helped me get into civilian law enforcement. I was able to travel all over the U.S. and overseas, all of which are experiences that cannot be taken away from me.

• What was one of the most challenging things about your military service?

Going to Iraq and leaving my family. My wife did such a great job of taking care of things while I was gone, but I hated to leave her and the kids.