Charles Robert Buckman was born 2 January 1971 in Oklahoma. He enjoyed bull riding and loved animals, keeping mules and horses as pets. He was an excellent mechanic and could build a car from the frame up. He served for 2 tours in the Navy as a parachute rigger. He was working on the oil rigs in Louisiana when he decided to follow his heart and join the Lawton, OK Police Department. While serving with the police department he was a founding member of their gang task force, the tactical team and was a weapons instructor achieving the rank of Master Officer by the time the left six and a half years later to come to Afghanistan with the intent of supporting his family doing what he loved and saving some money for his children’s college fund. In Afghanistan, he originally worked for another company conducting weapons transition and when MPRI assumed that mission, he was hired. He very quickly distinguished himself as a high caliber trainer and leader and when a new team leader opportunity presented itself, he was the number one choice. He was later selected to lead one of the remote basic warrior training (RBWT) teams split between Herat and in Masar-e Sharif. Chuck was the sort of man that after a ten minute conversation you would feel like you had a friend for life. He was very patient with all who worked with and for him and the Afghan soldiers he taught loved him. He is survived by his wife Heather and daughters Bailey (12), Ruby (11) and his son Wyatt (7).
Charle R. Buckman
January 2, 1971 to July 20, 2010
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