Adaptability is a timeless trait for any college graduate to have. Donald Schaeberle, an Elizabethtown College graduate from the class of 1971, is an example of this as an allied health professional with an impressive history with the U.S. Army.
“Life’s plans can change,” Schaeberle said. “Be flexible.”
Growing up in York County, Schaeberle had always harbored an interest in the sciences, as well as in competitive swimming. His father, a Pennsylvania state trooper, introduced Schaeberle and his brother to swimming at the local YMCA. He was then recruited by the swimming coach at the time, John Tulley, to swim competitively at Etown.
“Learning, swimming and campus life were my priorities,” Schaeberle said. “I swam all four years, winning several Middle Atlantic Conference titles and was selected for the 1970 All America Collegiate Swimming Team.”
Schaeberle also participated in Biology Club and served as the president during his senior year; additionally, he was involved in the Campus Life Council, Student Senate and the annual synchronized swimming show. Mentors and coaches who offered Schaeberle “sage advice” included Tulley, wrestling coach Kenneth Ober and Dr. Jack Hedrick from the chemistry department.
“My expectation was to teach and coach at the high school or college level following graduation,” Schaeberle said. “I was certified in secondary education to teach biology and fully expected to have a job teaching and coaching at a high school following graduation in 1971. The Army changed those plans.”
Schaeberle learned two months after graduation that the U.S. Army was in his future when he received his draft notice and was introduced to the School of Nursing at Widener College rather than Army Basic Training by Ken Haines, a friend of his who was also an Etown swimmer. During his time at Widener, he served as the college’s director of aquatics and swimming coach. Graduating in 1973, Schaeberle received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing and was commissioned as a First Lieutenant. He completed Officer’s Basic Training and then became stationed at the U.S. Military Academy, also known as West Point, where he worked as a staff nurse and later as a head nurse in the hospital’s critical care unit. He also held the position of assistant swimming coach during those four years at the Academy.
“During my career in the Army following West Point, I served in many locations: Germany (twice); Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Fort Leonardwood, Missouri; Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center, Colorado; Fort Lewis, Washington; Saudi Arabia; Fort Gordon, Georgia and Fort Bragg in North Carolina,” Schaeberle said. “Each offered a new challenge expanding my horizon as a nurse and Army officer. I was privileged to hold an array of positions in clinical nursing, education, recruiting, administration and operational medicine planning.”
Schaeberle also discusses his memories during the times in which he served during the first Gulf War. “No one wishes to go to war, but having the opportunity to serve my country during Operation Desert Shield/Storm providing care to the sick and wounded (soldiers, enemies and civilians) was undoubtedly the personal highlight of my active military career,” Schaeberle said. “The military provides recognition for accomplishments in the way of medals. I was awarded the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service during this campaign. I point this out to illustrate the importance of thanking fellow workers for a job well done. Recognition is motivational and aspires one to attain higher goals.”
As the Deputy Commander for Nursing, 44th Medical Brigate, XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, Schaeberle describes his past assignment as “noteworthy.”
“There I participated in the planning of medical support operations in Haiti and was deployed to the Virgin Islands to provide humanitarian support to victims of Hurricane Marilyn in 1995,” Schaeberle said. “These opportunities demonstrate the less recognized face of the military, the ever present humanitarian missions to assist victims of disaster, whether it be manmade or natural.”
Now fully retired as of January 2013, Schaeberle hung up his hat as a Colonel in 1999 but didn’t stop his involvement with the Army. He became a defense contractor and managed a regional Army medical training program at Fort Gordon in Georgia.
“During the next twelve years, I developed and executed medical training programs supporting the specific needs of the military’s medical forces, mainly Army Active, Reserve and National Guard, but also the Navy, Marines and Air Force,” Schaeberle said. “Following 9/11, the program became focused on preparing medical units, most notably Combat Support Hospitals, to deploy medical capabilities to Iraq and Afghanistan.”
An advocate of higher education and military education, Schaeberle describes these as “very integral” to a military career “where you are expected to grow professionally and as a leader to advance in rank.” He earned a Master of Science in business administration at Boston University and graduated from the Army’s Command and General Staff College and the Army War College.
“The four years at Etown shaped my fundamental values and work ethics, which served me well throughout my military career and life’s events,” Schaeberle said. “My advice to students in the Allied Health field is to understand your goal to be a nurse, physician or other health care professional. Delivery of health care has become impersonal and fragmented because of our health care system. The system’s engine is financial rather than patient focused.”
Schaeberle also applies his history in the Army to advise those interested in Allied Health positions. “The Army Nurse Corps motto is ‘Proud to Care,’” Schaeberle said. “Be proud of what you do, remain the patient’s advocate and always plan and deliver compassionate care. The other pearl of wisdom instilled in me by the Army is, ‘Be a leader, but know when to follow.’”
Schaeberle now resides in Augusta, Ga. with his wife Susan – also an Army Nurse, whom he met during his career in the Army – his two daughters, Erin and Gretchen, and his three grandsons. He was honored to be selected as a member of the Etown Athletic Hall of Fame in 1980 and continues to swim for personal fitness.