FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
Editor's note: This story is part of the 2012 Joint Base Langley-Eustis fall series, highlighting individuals with interesting stories.
Gravel crunches underfoot with each step through the maze of shipping containers, as the reflection of the low-arcing November sun gleams on his sunglasses and illuminates his faded neon yellow safety belt. U.S. Army Spc. Michael Visser climbs into his forklift and starts the engine.
"Sometimes it's really busy out here; other times, it's quiet," the 690th Rapid Port Opening Element cargo specialist said over the din of the forklift motor. "It doesn't matter though. There's nowhere else I'd rather be."
While this sincerity is easy to discount as mere feigned enthusiasm, Visser genuinely enjoys his job - routinely loading and unloading cargo on water-borne vessels, rail cars and aircraft. To him, anything is better than the life he left behind.
Like many young men and women, Visser, now 21, joined the Army at age 18 as a way to escape a crumbling home life devoid of hope and opportunity. Having not met his father until age 10, he hoped the latter half of his childhood would hold promise.
Suffice to say, life in the coastal community of Redondo Beach, Calif. only got worse.
"My parents were really wrapped up in narcotics, always having drugs in the house. It got to a point where they had me acting as a lookout for them," said Visser. "I dealt with that until I was 18 years old."
His rocky home life negatively impacted his academic progress, as he fell short of meeting state requirements for high school graduation. With no support system, no job opportunities and lacking a high school diploma, Visser was desperate.
Despite the darkness surrounding him, he found distractions away from drug use. Visser began attending church groups as a way to escape the turmoil at home.
"At first, I used church as a way just to get away from my parents," he said. "Eventually, after going so often and being there, it began to make sense to me, and I started to believe. I decided to live for it, because it got me through that darkness and kept me going when I felt I couldn't."
Eventually, he moved out of his parents' home and began living with his grandmother. He knew he needed to get away to build a future - calling the Los Angeles area "overcrowded," and "impossible to find a job in."
He attended a special secondary school, where he not only earned the requirements for high school graduation, but notched a 4.0 grade point average in the process. Upon receiving his diploma, Visser decided looking for low-wage jobs in Redondo Beach would only keep him mired in the stale lifestyle his parents endured.
"I didn't want to be like that, I wanted better for myself," he said. "I knew the only way not to be dragged down into that way of life was to get out of California."
Through his time spent at church, he began building pillars of emotional support he never had in his youth, earning encouragement from fellow worshipers and friends he made. Upon building a positive nucleus, Visser knew whatever he decided to do with his life needed to be in the business of helping others.
That's when he found his calling - a career in the U.S. Army.
"I had my diploma, I knew I wanted to help people, and I knew I had to get away from home and make my own way," Visser recalled. "The Army allowed me to do just that. I knew even then the Army was more than fighting overseas. I saw how the military helped people in need, like after hurricanes and earthquakes. I wanted to do those things."
Visser enlisted April 26, 2010, and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, S.C., shortly thereafter. Upon graduation, he transferred to Fort Eustis for Advanced Individual Training as an "88H," or cargo specialist.
He admits the transition from the loose, beach town life in California to the rigid, highly-structured Army lifestyle was difficult at first. Visser was the only Soldier in his AIT graduating class to remain at Fort Eustis for his first operational assignment.
"I was the only one of, like, 30 people to get stuck here. My friends were getting orders to Korea, all over the place, and I had to stay here," he said.
But he'd already escaped the drugs and despair back home, and knew where to look for guidance - his faith. Visser's outgoing nature earned him friendships and the praise of his unit leadership. He relied on his battle buddies and leaders to mentor and guide him, transforming himself into a professional Soldier.
"I really relied on my roommate, [Spc. James Conklin]. He helps me out a lot, and sets a good example for me to follow," he said. "My first sergeant and commander have been there with me, too."
With the backbone of the Army behind him, Visser began concentrating on his passion - helping others. Volunteerism became his favorite activity, often being the first Soldier willing to raise his hand when opportunities arose.
Following Hurricanes Irene in 2011 and Sandy earlier this year, Visser banded together with other church members to help storm victims in nearby Poquoson clean up flood- and wind-damaged areas. He sponsored a small child from India, regularly donating money and communicating with the child's family halfway around the world. Visser regularly attends Wave Church in Virginia Beach, where he participates in poverty relief efforts across south side Hampton Roads.
Of these efforts, Visser said his time preaching to and talking with troubled youth at a Newport News correctional facility had the most impact on him.
"I see a lot of those kids having dealt with the same situations and adversity that I did. I can talk to them, and make them see the good things in life," he said. "I want them to do something better for themselves when they get out. I really see myself in them.
"One day I went to preach, and met this kid named Chris. I talked to him for nearly two hours, and his story was identical to mine," he continued. "I told him, 'I know where you've been through, what it feels like, what's going on inside your head. Look around - there are so many opportunities for you to do better for yourself. One day, you're going to look back and be glad you took those steps, just like I do now.' He's out now, back in northern Virginia, and he's doing well, even planning on attending Bible college."
Visser's first sergeant, 1st Sgt. Jennifer Callicutt, said she is "extremely impressed" with him, not only as a Soldier, but as a person.
"He's a great Soldier, but he's more than that. He's always volunteering, always giving his time," she said. "It amazes me that he's so young but has such a big heart. He never complains, and is always willing to help others and do the right thing.
"He's going to make a great husband for someone one day," she added, smiling. "Everyone knows about Visser. Everyone knows he's a great guy."
Visser is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, which he plans to use in a future career as a police officer after his time in the Army. Additionally, he plans to attend Bible college to help him build his skills as a religious leader.
"Right now, I'm a worship leader in my church. It'll give me the tools to lead better, while helping me work on myself," he said. "I know I'm not perfect - no one is - but making myself better will help me make more of an impact in others' lives, keep them away from drugs and alcohol and stay positive."
For now, Visser is enjoying the life he is making for himself. Between church, volunteering, his career and the satisfaction of successful independence, he "couldn't ask for much more in life."
"The one piece of advice I have for anyone feeling that they can't go on is to never give up. Don't quit; the second you quit, the regrets begin," he said. "Don't wait on taking chances. Do what you feel is right when you feel it."
As the sun retreated behind the tree line west of the Washington Boulevard motor pool, Visser walked away from his forklift to his car, the same gravel crunching beneath his boots. In the morning, he'll return to the dusty yard to do it all over again.
The days will pass and the seasons will change. Eventually, the specialist may become a sergeant, move on to other installations and perhaps serve around the world, but his mantra remains the same:
"There's nowhere else I'd rather be."
"Regardless of how bad life can seem, there's always light in that darkness. You just have to find it and follow it."