From commanding the skies to sleeping in a minivan: Homeless veteran USAF colonel now lives in his car because he can't find a job

  • Colonel Robert Freniere, 59, was once a special assistant General Stanley McChrystal, the former commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan
  • He has served his country in Somalia, Panama, Haiti, and Kuwait
  • Freniere now lives out of his minivan in King Of Prussia, Pennsylvania, as he can't find a job

By Daily Mail Reporter

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A U.S. veteran who has experienced combat all over the world and was once a special aide to military top brass has been reduced to living in his van as he can't find a job. But it's not for a lack of trying.

Homeless Robert Freniere, 59, told his story to Philly.com, and explained how he has been rejected for dozens of jobs he has applied for from public libraries, despite having excellent references and three graduate degrees.

When people ask why don't you get a job as a janitor, Freniere replies: 'Well, I've tried that.' He lives out of his blue minivan in King Of Prussia, Pennsylvania.

Frustration: Despite having a wealth of military experience and three graduate degrees, Colonel Robert Freniere is currently living in his van with all of his possessions in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

Frustration: Despite having a wealth of military experience and three graduate degrees, Colonel Robert Freniere is currently living in his van with all of his possessions in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

Pride: Robert Freniere displays his Air Force Colonel's uniform in his van (and his home)

Pride: Robert Freniere displays his Air Force Colonel's uniform in his van (and his home)

Freniere, who served in the military for 30 years and reached the rank of colonel, said he hasn't had regular employment since 2012 when he worked as defense contractor.

Though he receives an annual military pension of $40,000 a year, he told Philly.com he has been overwhelmed by debt since retiring from the Air Force and splitting up from his wife two years ago.

 

The colonel explained that the bills mounted up - such as the cost of putting his two sons through college - and he couldn't return home, so he moved into his van.

Freniere said he stays in motels when he can afford it, and also occasionally sleeps on friends' couches. Yet he has impressive experience behind him.

Top brass: At the peak of his career, Freniere (left) was a special assistant to General Stanley McChrystal, the former commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan (right)
Top brass: At the peak of his career, Freniere (left) was a special assistant to General Stanley McChrystal, the former commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan (right)

Top brass: At the peak of his career, Freniere (left) was a special assistant to General Stanley McChrystal, the former commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan (right)

According to Philly.com throughout his prolific career he has served with the military in Somalia, Panama, Haiti, and Kuwait.

Freniere also holds masters degrees in political science, criminal justice, and national security and strategic studies

He started life in the army by investigating drug dealing among soldiers, before moving to the Air Force and working in intelligence.

The colonel started at the Pentagon in 2000 and says he was in the building during the terrorist attack there on September 11, 2001.

Freniere then worked as a special assistant to General Stanley McChrystal, the former commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, between 2003 and 2005.

After that he says he volunteered for counter-terrorism work in Iraq, but was stopped from going by necessary surgery on his back.

Freniere ended up retiring from the military in 2006 and turning to contractor work, which took him to Afghanistan twice.

Tough: Freniere explained that military thinking has prepared him for his current situation. 'You stay calm. That's what we were trained for when I went through survival training,' the colonel said

Tough: Freniere explained that military thinking has prepared him for his current situation. 'You stay calm. That's what we were trained for when I went through survival training,' the colonel said

Freniere has also has had a full life outside of the military. Among other things, he has reportedly written screenplays, started businesses and enjoys leaning foreign languages - his nickname is Lightning.

He told Philly.com that he has been diagnosed with dyslexia and attention deficit disorder. Yet he keeps applying for jobs all day and every day

'How many applications can you fill out in a day? And it takes you six or seven hours, and then you don't hear from any of them. You start getting hopeless,' Freniere said.

But he told the site that military thinking has prepared him for his current situation. 'You stay calm. That's what we were trained for when I went through survival training,' the colonel said.

The comments below have not been moderated.

Isn't he eligible for his pension? As a Colonel that should be a big chunk of change. Oh, and NEVER go broke paying for college, because then you are STUCK as there are no loans for retirement.

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This a bogus load of crap. He must have some seriously bad habits. In his rank he would have been making over $120k a year while working PLUS a housing allowance of at least $2,500 a month. After 30 years he could have purchased several houses. As a retiree he would get a pension of $60k a year. Plus $$$ from the VA for any disability he may have suffered. He has full health benefits so he doesn't have to pay medical costs or insurance. Employers receive a tax credit for hiring vets. If he wanted a job he would have one.

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A strange story that seems to have some deliberate omissions and obfuscations. It reads like a fishing trip for comments about how badly the retired military are being treated in Obama's America.....

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My husband, three girls and I live in roanoke VA, we spent years sending troops all over the world care packages but perhaps it's time to those who made it home too. We took in a family after hurricane Katrine and I would be more than willing to take in the Colonial Freniere as well. He's dedicated his life to the service and protection of these United States. If he's will we have plenty of room, my husband is a surgeon here and we live comfortably. Our in law suite would suit the Colonial fine. Please contact me sir if you're interested. Veduong@hotmail.com

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As an Air Force Vet, I don't feel sorry for this guy; if anything, I'm embarrassed by him. This article should never have been written, he's just another guy who obviously made constant, HUGE financial gambles that he lost on.

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Although I know he has debt (why aren't the boys paying their own way through college, or at least helping, or are they?), so do all of us. All of us. And the majority of us don't make $40,000 a year- he is unbelievably lucky to be able to have that amount each year- there are a lot of homeless who have NO income at all. Why doesn't he rent a room in someone's house? A lot of them, you can rent for three or four hundred a month, and it covers utilities as well. And curious: if the boys were put through college by dad, why aren't the boys helping the man?

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Hello Colonel Robert, please como to my house in Nicaragua and stay at my home, you are welcome, my email: hernanamador@yahoo,com or call me (505) 8888 6209 WELCOME TO NICARAGUA !!!

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Many places in the U.S. where you can live carefully but well on $40,000 a year, or whatever his exact pension works out to be.

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Mr.Robert, I invite you to come to my home in Nicaragua an stay with us, my email: hernanamador@yahoo.com or call me at (505) 8888 6209 WELCOME Colonel

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We live in roanoke Virginia,my husband three daughters and I send care packages to troops all over the world but at this time we should focus on the many mant troops who've come home. I took in refugees from the nightmare of hurricane Katrina. I would be proud to take in Colonial Freniere as well. My husband is a surgeon here, we have 2 extra bedrooms one that has complete privacy and extra amenities. This is a sincere offer. Please think about Colonial, we be proud to have you. Veduong@hotmail.com

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WOW, nice to see that there are still people like you, who still exist and make the world a better place.

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