Soldiers and sports are two of Charles "Chuck" Withers' loves in life.
"I've worked with soldiers all my life," said Mr. Withers, who in March was named General Dynamics instructor of the year for 2007.
General Dynamics has a contract at Fort Gordon to teach computer-related technology to about 6,000 soldiers each year. The company employs about 100 instructors.
Mr. Withers spent 28 years with the Signal Corps and retired at Fort Gordon. He transitioned from his military career into one at General Dynamics, where he has worked for 10 years. This is the second time he has been named instructor of the year.
As a command sergeant major, he was in charge of troops with the 447th Signal Battalion. Now he teaches that same group of initial-entry-training soldiers.
"I love everything about the job," he said.
He especially enjoys being one of the first people new soldiers just of out basic training meet.
"I am able to shape and mold them," he said.
Mr. Withers was first nominated as an instructor of the month and won at the instructor of the quarter level before being named instructor of the year.
When not teaching soldiers, Mr. Withers can be found in a bowling league or on the court refereeing a basketball game.
This week, he can be found at the Augusta National Golf Club's gallery house, where he issues helmets and other equipment to the gallery guards. He has spent 15 years helping out at the Masters and has also volunteered as a gallery guard.
He's also the coordinator for the annual Association of the United States Army's annual golf tournament. Money raised from that tournament benefits soldiers.
He was on the All-Army bowling team in 1993. He met his wife, Marie, while in a bowling league, and their son Charles, a student at Augusta Technical College, bowls as well.
"Chuck is an amazing guy. He has more energy than anyone I know," said Pete Farrell, General Dynamics director of training in a statement.
Reach Charmain Brackett at czbrackett@hotmail.com.
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