CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) The USO RP/6 Center in Clarksville has been very busy since their opening last November to support service members as they leave the military. Since they opened their doors RP/6 has helped close to 500 military and their families as they transition out of the service.
One of those soldiers, Matthew Grigsby, is a veteran from Fort Pierce, Florida who joined the Army in 2006 and spent nine years serving the nation in aviation operations, which included two deployments with the 101st to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Grigsby said the first time he walked into RP/6 he thought it was a regular USO, but found out it was an office to help transitioning military and said it worked out great for him. He said he really liked the RP/6 office because they have a case management system that offers a one-on-one experience.
The RP/6 experience for Grigsby included working on his resume and job hunting skills as well as transitioning counseling. It all paid off because he now has a job at Cumberland Hall in Hopkinsville, KY as a Mental Health Technician.
His position at Cumberland Hall has him working with younger teenagers and helping them with their day-to-day activities and making sure they are safe throughout the day. Grigsby’s immediate future includes enrolling at Austin Peay State University and working toward a bachelor’s degree in social work.
Grigsby says his long term goal is to work at RP/6. “I guess my goal in the end is to be able to still work with soldiers even though I’m out. This program has helped a lot of people transition out. You’re so used to one lifestyle so you ask, what’s next, and the people here help you do what is next,” he said.
You’ll find the USO RP/6 Center at 1885-B Fort Campbell Blvd. in Clarksville. The office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. and to learn more visit www.rp6.org or call 931-919-4313.