The Debrief Project: History and Healing
A veteran reflects on military life, brotherhood, and the mission to preserve soldiers' stories for future generations
This is an interview with Bobby Colella, a 21-Year Army Veteran. After his time in the military, he began working on The Debrief Project, which he discusses at the end of our chat.
Introduction
”My name is Bobby Colella, and I am a 21-year Army veteran, specifically in the infantry. I spent my entire career in the infantry, and I loved every minute of it.”
What made you want to join the military?
”The first thing that comes to mind is serving my country and fulfilling a sense of duty. My grandfather served during World War II, my uncle served in the Army during Vietnam, and another grandfather served in the Navy. Hearing their stories of excitement, adventure, and the things they experienced really intrigued me. They were almost put on a pedestal by the rest of the family, and I wanted to live up to that legacy. So, serving my country and trying to honor my grandparents and uncle were definitely the biggest motivations for joining.”
Did you always want to join the military, or did it come later in life?
”Even from a young age, I wanted to be a soldier. Interestingly, I didn’t join right out of high school. I waited a year after graduation and enlisted at 19.”
What was it like the day before you left for boot camp?
”It was an emotional roller coaster. I was excited but also nervous, and as the day went on, that nervousness turned into full-blown terror. I had signed up for four years, and I started to wonder, "What have I done?" But deep down, I knew this was what I had always wanted to do.”
What were your first impressions when you arrived at boot camp?
”It was another emotional roller coaster. I was both excited to be there and overwhelmed by the experience. The drill sergeants were everything I expected, and while it wasn’t shocking, it was intense. Once the initial shock wore off, I found my comfort zone. It felt natural, like I belonged there.”
Can you describe what basic training was like?
”Basic training is about losing your self-identity. The Army is like a big team, much like a sports team where it's not about you but about the people around you and the mission. The drill sergeants start teaching that from day one. When they shave your head, you lose your individuality. Everyone wears the same uniform, and it doesn't matter what your background is—everyone bleeds green. It’s about teamwork, working toward a common goal, and constantly being around others. It’s a challenge, but ultimately it’s an eye-opening experience.”
What was the brotherhood like?
”The bond you form in basic training is strong. Even though basic training is short, over the years, in combat or long-term assignments, you form lifelong friendships. For example, just before this interview, I got a call from someone I hadn’t talked to in 10 years, but when we spoke, it was like no time had passed. The brotherhood is truly incredible.”
What was an average day like in training?
”In basic training, your day would start early, around 5 AM. After getting dressed, everyone would clean different parts of the barracks, like the laundry room, floors, or showers. Then, you’d exercise for an hour—getting paid to work out, which was pretty cool. Afterward, you'd eat quickly, then move on to various training activities: rifle range, weapons training, first aid, combat training, and more. Every day was packed with classes and tasks, all aimed at getting everyone on the same page.”
Did you develop a specialty during your time in the Army?
”Yes, I became a Bradley Master Gunner. It’s a tough school that I attended at Fort Benning, which is now called Fort Moore. To pass, you have to maintain a 3.0 GPA, and if you fail any test twice, you’re out. The attrition rate when I went through was about 60%. It was a challenging academic experience, but I’m very proud of having graduated in 1995, and it helped me throughout my career.”
What were your roles during your time in the Army?
”The majority of my time was spent either on the ground or in vehicles. I served in the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, a key part of the infantry. I also held leadership positions all the way up to company first sergeant. Later in my career, I had the opportunity to teach at the University of Central Florida for their Army ROTC program, which was a great assignment to have after retiring from active duty.”
What was it like being away from your family for so long?
”Being away from family was tough. You get about 30 days of vacation time each year, so I would try to visit my parents at least once a year. When I got married and had kids, it was even harder. During combat deployments, the longest I was away from my family was about 19 months. During that time, I could come home for two, two-week vacations. It’s tough, but it’s part of the job, and you sign up for it.”
How did you readjust to civilian life after leaving the military?
”The transition was definitely challenging. I was teaching at UCF just five months after returning from a combat deployment in Iraq. I had to adjust to a completely different environment. Over time, I realized that while I was there to teach civilians to be military leaders, they were teaching me how to be a civilian again. It turned out to be a great transition that I couldn’t have planned better myself.”
What would you like the world to know about soldiers?
”Soldiers do what their country asks them to do, and they do it amazingly well because of the people around them. The bond between soldiers is powerful, and at the end of the day, it’s not about country, god, or apple pie—it’s about not letting the person next to you down. Soldiers risk their lives for each other, and they deserve the best support from civilians. We need to make sure they have every tool they need to be successful.”
Can you tell us about the Debrief Project?
”The Debrief Project is a nonprofit organization I started after publishing a book in 2012. Writing that book began my healing journey, as I realized I was dealing with post-traumatic stress from the war. As I promoted the book, I began to feel better about my experiences in Iraq and gained a deeper understanding of them. I wanted to give my fellow soldiers a platform to tell their stories, using technology and social media. This allows their loved ones to understand what they went through, and it preserves their stories for historical purposes. We’ve completed about 12 interviews so far and have 60 more scheduled. Eventually, these will be compiled into a documentary-style format. But the main goal is to give soldiers the opportunity to share their stories.”