Chief Warrant Officer Robert (Bob) Cuyler

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Tony Snow Public Service Award Recipient

Being deployed to Afghanistan and fighting terrorism weren’t Chief Warrant Officer Bob Cuyler’s only concerns; Bob was also battling on a personal front to stay healthy and make it through each flight mission without an intestinal mishap. Little did he know that an even bigger struggle lay ahead – his fight to hold onto his career as a helicopter pilot and, based on his research, become the first Army aviator with an ostomy to fly in a combat zone.

Sixteen years ago, as Bob neared the cut-off age to apply to the military, the married father of two left his day job as a land surveyor to pursue active duty as an Army helicopter pilot. Completing his training in 1994, he conducted tours of duty in South Korea, Germany and Kosovo. The only dark cloud during this time was managing occasional intestinal flare-ups. Over time, the flare-ups became more frequent, until 2001, when Bob suffered his worst episode yet while on a transatlantic flight. When he landed, Bob consulted a doctor and was diagnosed with severe ulcerative colitis.

Although immediately concerned about what this news might mean for his career, Bob regained active flight status, thanks to support from his commanders and doctors and with his ulcerative colitis in remission. Two tours of Afghanistan later, a devastating flare-up led to the removal of his entire colon. This surgery, in July 2007, marked the beginning of his fight to save his Army career, as the ostomy now labeled him “disabled” by military standards.

Rather than take an “automatic discharge” Bob was determined to continue in his military career, buoyed by the inspirational Great Comebacks stories he had read while in the hospital. Convincing the doctors to delay the paperwork, he bought time to regain his strength, and, with the right equipment and support, he began to excel – performing so well in exercises that his commanders gave him permission to fly.

It came down to a 10-person aviation medical board to decide if Bob could return to active duty. All his persistence and hard work paid off when he was cleared, and, in October 2008, deployed on a 12-month tour in Iraq.

“I have been very fortunate to be in a unit whose doctors and commanders didn’t jump to conclusions,” said Bob. “They gave me time to get well and based their decisions on my demonstrated performance.”

Bob credits the support of his wife Tammy, who keeps the home fires burning in Hannibal, New York, as well as his daughter Megan and son Jared for giving him the strength and motivation to keep pushing forward. “I hope that my story will inspire or help open a door for other ostomates to pursue their lives, dreams and passions,” said Bob.