By Adam Walser

There are not many similarities between a hot dry war zone in the desert and the peace and tranquility of scuba diving.  But a local retired soldier is helping troops make that connection every day, and is making sure soldiers have something to look forward to when they come home

Crowley opened a new business in New Albany called “Diving with Chuck” this spring. Among his most loyal and dedicated diving students are those studying online, thousands of miles away in Iraq.  Every week, Crowley sends new study materials, including books, magazines and DVDs.  Then the soldiers discuss diving, through instant messaging.

Crowley has already taken about half-dozen men from his former unit on diving trips, between deployments and when they’re home on leave.  A diving trip to Belize is being planned for when everyone makes it home next year.

Sgt. Frank Hass is one of the desert divers. When he gets back, he’ll have a new diving partner, his son Dakota.  Crowley has been training Dakota in scuba diving while his dad is overseas.

Crowley says he supports teaching scuba to soldiers to honor the five Indiana military heroes who have been lost in recent years.   Friends, Crowley says, would want him to remind soldiers that there’s a refreshing, peaceful dive not so far away.

Crowley served in the Indiana National Guard for 9 years and was deployed to Bosnia and Afghanistan with many of the divers he now instructs.

Web story published by Chris Wright