Eric Butera

Pursuing an education at the university level isn't just limited to high school graduates. People of all backgrounds and ages are now returning to the college or university environment in an effort to re-pursue their education, as well as to reinvigorate their careers. For Eric Butera, the need for more education was no different than any other.  Now a retired service member, Eric Butera took advantage of his opportunity to increase his knowledge and improve his skill set during his service. He is now, however, taking his education into a new direction.

Eric Butera encountered the trauma and the large amount of stress that impact war-weary soldiers every day. The post-war years of a veteran’s life can be just as demanding as those spent in a combat situation. Eric Butera understands that there are many veterans who constantly relive the horror of their war experiences, bombarded repeatedly by bad memories on a daily basis. Sometimes these events can hinder a veteran’s opportunity to move forward and be successful as a civilian. 

Eric Butera made the choice to enter into an internship at the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center during his academic career at the University of Utah. Eric Butera, a man with previous medical training, was a soldier who could sympathize with the needs of other veterans, and he knew that by using recreational therapy as a way to working with other veterans, he could make a substantial and positive difference in their lives. Eric Butera valued the time and effort he provided veterans at the Medical Center. 

Eric Butera: Multi-Skilled and Educated

Eric Butera developed a number of skills during time serving in the United States Army. His service provided him the chance to develop a number of important skills, as well as the opportunity to take a variety of courses. The first training he received, of course, was basic combat training, which was provided to him at the U.S. Army Field Artillery Training Center in 1999. The center is located in Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

A year after combat training, Eric Butera underwent medical training, participating in medical courses at Fort Sam, located in Houston, Texas. Shortly after he enrolled in courses at Salt Lake Community College, where he earned his Associate of Science degree in 2001. Though proud to be the recipient of an Associate’s degree, Eric Butera knew he would one day to return to school in order to pursue his bachelor's degree.

During his eight years of service in the United States Army, Eric Butera participated in courses centered on leadership, administration and motor vehicle operation. It was in 2003 that Eric Butera earned a Certificate of Training for his completion of the 75H10 Personal Services Specialist program in both Phase I and Phase II. 

Eric Butera underwent yet another course at Salt Lake Community College in 2006. After participating in multiple motor vehicle courses at Fort Bliss, he combined his military training with his opportunity at Salt Lake Community College to begin a career as a certified professional truck driver. Relying on the same dedication he has demonstrated to every goal he has undertaken, Eric Butera earned his professional truck driving certification in December of 2006.

Eric Butera: Hospital Volunteer

Eric Butera is a veteran of the United States military. He feels a strong duty towards providing support to his fellow veterans, particularly those suffering from the effects of physically-altering injury.

As a volunteer at the George E. Wahlen Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, Eric Butera has provided support to those who have sacrificed the safety and health of their bodies during combat. Volunteering has provided him with pride and fulfillment, and allows him to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of his fellow service members.

Eric Butera cares about the health and welfare of his fellow veterans. As someone with eight years of proven service and dedication to his country, Eric understands how important service members are to the continued safety and protection of a democratic society. Eric Butera also understands how valuable the support of volunteers is to the welfare and recovery of injured and disabled veterans. He has committed himself, time and again, to efforts that improve the quality of injured veterans’ lives, and is a consummate supporter of any effort to have a positive impact on the life of a veteran.

Eric Butera recently attended classes at the University of Utah, where he was pursuing a degree in parks, recreation and tourism. He participated in several internships during his time at the university, including a 480 hour summer internship during 2013. Eric Butera feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to receive a quality education, and to be a hands-on volunteer for injured veterans.

Awards and Certificates Received by Eric Butera

Each accomplishment Eric Butera made in his career brought him a sense of pride. As a soldier in the United States Army, Eric Butera completed a number of courses. The first course he completed was a medical specialist course where he received his diploma for completion in 2000. He received another diploma for completing the Primary Leadership Course from United States Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Fort Lewis in Washington.

A year after receiving his second course diploma, Eric Butera received the Certificate of Achievement: For Exceptional Achievement in July 2003. He received the certificate from the Madigan Army Medical Center at Fort Lewis, Washington. The next award received by Eric Butera was earned in 2004. Eric Butera earned The Army Achievement Medal. It was presented by the Department of the Army. 

After Eric Butera left military service in January 2007, he continued his life as a civilian. In 2010, Eric Butera decided to get involved in recreational therapy in Utah. He joined the Utah  Recreation Therapy Association and the National Recreation and Parks Association after he decided to go back to school and earn his bachelor's degree.

While Eric Butera studied parks, recreation and tourism for his bachelor's degree, he performed volunteer work for disabled veterans. Eric Butera understands the importance of volunteer work. While he helped others, Eric Butera decided to do more for himself. He decided to renew his skills in life saving measures so he completed the knowledge and skill evaluation for the Emergency Care & Safety Institute course. He earned his certification for CPR, AED, and advanced first aid.

 It was in March 2012 that he completed the first aid course. Now, he is nearly completed with his bachelor's degree in parks, recreation and tourism. He expects to complete his degree with an emphasis in recreational therapy from the University of Utah Fall 2013.

Honorable Soldier: Eric Butera

Many men and women are honored to serve their country through military work. Eric Butera is one of many soldiers who honorably served their country for multiple years. He first joined the military in 1999. Eric Butera completed basic combat training at the United States Army Field Artillery Training Center at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He completed basic training in December 1999.

A year after Eric Butera completed basic training, he successfully completed a medical specialist course. He took the course at the Academy of Health Sciences at Fort Sam in Houston, Texas. Like any serviceman, Eric Butera knows that a career in the military can lead to multiple transfers so his relocation from Oklahoma to Houston, Texas was of little surprise. 

In 2001, Eric Butera took formal education courses and earned his Associate of Science degree from Salt Lake Community college. In 2002, Eric Butera was relocated again. Eric Butera was relocated to Washington and while there, graduated from the Primary Leadership Course conducted by the United States Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Fort Lewis. He graduated the course in June, 2002.

By 2005, Eric Butera was serving out of a new location. In April 2005, Eric Butera completed a motor operator course with the 647th Area Group at Fort Bliss, Texas. It was just a short time later that he finished is military work. Eric Butera was honorably discharged from the United States Army January 27, 2007.

Today, Eric Butera is still proud to of his service to the country. He continues to show his support by volunteering to help disabled veterans. He is a strong advocate for adaptive sports so veterans with missing limbs can compete in sports and recreational therapy. He routinely volunteers by assisting disabled soldiers in wrestling, volleyball, and soccer. He believes recreational therapy helps in many areas including rebuilding self-esteem and self-worth.

Volunteer Work for Veterans Essential to Eric Butera

Lots of people perform volunteer work. There are a plethora of opportunities to help local communities or other causes. Volunteer work covers ground from visiting the elderly, cleaning up city streets, to helping veterans. Eric Butera is dedicated to helping veterans. 

Helping veterans is imperative to Eric Butera. As a former serviceman, he knows the stress and trauma experienced by veterans during times of war. The effects of combat are lifelong and Eric Butera decided to dedicate the remainder of his life helping fellow soldiers.

Eric Butera performs his volunteer work at George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. There are many forms of therapies that he advocates for including pet therapy and group therapy. Both forms of therapy help to increase a veteran's sense of self-worth and self-esteem. Therapy is meant to increase a person's well-being. It is for that reason, Eric Butera prefers recreational therapy. 

Eric Butera believes recreational therapy has five domains to increase a person's well-being. Through his studies at the University of Utah, Eric Butera learned recreational therapy promotes psychological, physical, social, spiritual, and cognitive health. With five areas of support, Eric Butera believes it is one of the best therapies for veterans with missing limbs. 

When Eric Butera performs his volunteer work at the VA Medical Center, he helps them compete in sports. There are three sports he assists with: wrestling, soccer, and volleyball. Just because a veteran is missing a limb doesn't mean they can't compete in a sport they love. That is why Eric Butera is a regular volunteer for veterans. 

Believing in his cause, Eric Butera now pursues it academically. In the fall of 2013, Eric Butera is scheduled to complete his Bachelors of Science degree. His area of study is Bachelors of Science in Parks Recreation and Tourism. His emphasis is in recreational therapy.

Formal Education Important to Eric Butera

There are many ways to get an education or take courses to set up a successful path for the future. Eric Butera started taking higher education courses while actively serving in the United States Army.  Eric Butera finished basic combat training at Fort Sill in Oklahoma in 1999. It was in 2001 that he earned his Association of Science degree from Salt Lake Community College.

In addition to his associate's degree, Eric Butera took a number of courses both related and unrelated to his military work. Some of the other courses he completed include a medical specialist course, a leadership course, and training to be a Personal Services Specialist Phase I and II. Closer to the time Eric Butera was ready to be honorably discharged, he took a course in basic administration and a motor vehicle operator course. 

Eric Butera was honorably discharged from the United States Army in January of 2007. In 2012, Eric Butera completed the skill evaluation for the Emergency Care and Safety Institute to be a health care provider certified in CPR and AED for advanced first aid. During the time Eric Butera worked to become CPR and AED certified, he was attending the University of Utah. 

Eric Butera currently attends the University of Utah for his bachelor's degree. He is scheduled to complete his Bachelors of Science in Parks Recreation and Tourism with a focus in recreational therapy fall of 2013. He has benefitted greatly from the courses taken in the past and is proud to soon add a bachelor's degree to his list of success.

Eric Butera is proud of his time spent in the service. He believes serving the country is character building. While the military was an important part of his life, Eric Butera encourages everyone to earn a formal education. If you have a field of interest, Eric Butera believes it is worth pursuing.