Two peas in a pod

For many people, making a life-changing decision in the parking lot of a Taco Bell might seem a little odd.

But if you know Daniel Buskeness and Justin Charman, it’s pretty par for the course.

These two have been making similar decisions since they first met when each were just six years old and entering first grade at Woodland Elementary School.

“Growing up, it’s what I said I wanted to do,” said Charman.

“Since I was a little kid, watching M*A*S*H and Top Gun,” said Buskeness.

Back to Taco Bell.

At the age of 19, each were already headed down career paths. Buskeness was in the U.S. Forest Service while Charman had joined CAL FIRE.

Yet there they were, in the parking lot of that Taco Bell in Oakhurst when they decided it was time to take a drive to Merced and inquire about joining the U.S. Navy.

They both filled out the paperwork on the spot and within days learned they had been accepted into the Navy.

It was 2009 and both said the economic crash in the country and many other factors led them to make that career change and enlist in the Navy.

The story begins

It’s little surprise Charman and Buskeness, both now 36, became friends early while in first grade at Woodland.

For one, with last names that begin with “B” and “C,” they sat together in that classroom right off the bat.

It’s probably true that for most people, such a chance seating arrangement would not lead to a lifelong friendship.

Not for these two.

Even though it was only that first year they were in the same classroom at Woodland, by the time they advanced to middle school, both were still fast friends. Both were involved in sports and many other activities.

Then it was off to Mariposa County High School where they would graduate in 2008.

During those formative high school years, both of them, unsurprisingly, had a lot of the same interests.

Interests that would eventually lead them into their careers and then the military.

Both joined the MCHS firefighting program and both also joined the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team — at age 13.

“I wanted to help others,” said Charman.

By age 16, they had joined Mariposa County Fire as well as the Mariposa Public Utility District fire department.

“You want to help your community,” said Buskeness. “It’s a challenging job, but fun.”

During all of this, they found adults who they consider mentors to this day.

Those include Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese, who was just a deputy back in those days, along with Tim Rumfelt, Chris Ramirez and Dave Thorpe.

Their fire mentor was Phil Whitson.

Both said those programs along with the sports programs they participated in at MCHS gave them “discipline” and “teamwork” skills.

They both also said that though MCHS is a small school and doesn’t have many programs offered at larger schools, it didn’t matter.

“The programs we do have are good programs,” said Charman. “They help shape young people.”

Buskeness said his years at MCHS helped set him up for success in the military.

In the Navy

For many young people who make decisions in Taco Bell parking lots, they might spend a couple of years in the military before moving on to civilian life.

Not Charman and Buskeness.

Here’s the rundown:

• Buskeness joined in 2009 after visiting the recruiter and went to basic training quickly, on Dec. 2 of that year. He stayed in the Navy until November 2017, an eight-year career. Five of those were in active duty while three were “shore duty” which mainly is recruiting. He spent most of that time in Illinois.

During his years in the service, Buskeness spent time in many places, including Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan. His first unit was the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5.

Other stops included Ethiopia, Africa, Thailand, Japan and the Philippines.

• Charman also joined in 2009 but was not sent to basic training until March 2, 2010. He ended up as an E6 Aviation Ordinance Specialist 1st Class. Charman remained in the Navy until July 2024, also spending time recruiting, mainly in the Merced and Turlock areas.

He spent a lot of time aboard the USS Lincoln, an aircraft carrier which was just recently in the news. He had two deployments on that carrier, including in the Persian Gulf.

Charman also spent seven years aboard the USS Gerald Ford, another aircraft carrier. He also spent time at the ISA Air Base in Bahrain, on the shores of the Persian Gulf.

He finished his active duty career for 15 months in San Diego before doing the recruiting.

On duty

Buskeness said he had “indirect contact” during his time in Afghanistan, including dealing with IEDs and rogue enemies.

A lot of his work included building bridges, schools and much more.

For Charman, he said they were “always on edge” in the Persian Gulf, including duties in the Strait of Hormuz.

Charman said the Navy ships have always traversed that waterway “in a line,” including many times firing warning shots in the volatile region.

“It is nothing new,” he added.

While on the Lincoln, Charman said he learned a lot, including about just how noisy an aircraft carrier is all of the time.

“It’s loud,” he said.

But, he noted, once you get used to it, “the best sleep I ever got was on a ship.”

Charman ended up in the armory of the ship “and I loved it.”

He did say the recent controversy surrounding the aircraft carrier was only different because those sailors were at sea for 11 months and didn’t see a port. Otherwise, he said, long deployments are routine.

Back in Afghanistan, Buskeness said he was stationed primarily with British troops focusing in missile launchers. He also vividly recalls the “sand storms” that were frequent.

One thing both said was different than in today’s military is the lack of communication with people like family members.

“It was very disconnected,” said Buskeness.

On the ship, Charman said there were a lot of “delays” when even trying to talk on the phone, when that was possible.

Helping out locally

Like when they first met and since that time, both of them continue to help their community.

In this case, both are active members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Mariposa and are hoping to get more people involved.

“You miss the camaraderie and like-minded people,” said Buskeness. “We are helping the vets. Our goal is to help the older members and helping our communities.”

Charman joined the VFW in 2002 while still in the Navy while Buskeness just joined this year. For once, they didn’t mirror each other.

Both attend meetings and both recently worked the VFW beer booth at the fair, one of the big fundraisers of the year for the organization.

“It is a really great cause,” said Buskeness.

Both also appreciate the older veterans who are members. Though at 36, both of them claim they, too, are older, the reality is the majority of members are senior citizens.

“Everyone is integrated,” said Charman. “We all tell our stories.”

Both said they “catch up” with everyone during the social hour before the monthly meeting begins.

“It’s the little things,” said Buskeness, explaining that sometimes, just a conversation can be beneficial to a veteran.

Both also are hoping to see the VFW grow.

“It would be nice to have more members,” said Buskeness.

“We want to help our community,” said Charman.

Both are also hoping to remodel the VFW building.

“First impressions are everything,” said Charman, adding the remodel is a “big goal” of them both.

The military decision

Both of them also said they would encourage young people to consider a career in the military.

“It is one of the best thing you can do,” said Charman. “It will set you up for life.”

He said the benefits alone are worth it, including the GI bill as well as so many programs to help his family.

Buskeness agreed, saying the benefits are worth it.

Both are now married and have children and said their careers in the military make it worth the time. Buskeness works for the National Park Service while Charman is employed with Arbor Works.

“I have no regrets,” said Charman.

Buskeness credited his life in Mariposa as preparing him for the military.

“It was easy,” he said of going through basic training and the rest of the military. “You learn morals.”

Charman called playing sports at the high school “beneficial,” not only for the physical challenges of the military but also for the teamwork aspect.

World travelers

Though both are rooted in Mariposa, their military careers have allowed them the opportunity to travel the world, another benefit of the military both praise.

“It makes you appreciate home,” said Charman.

Both said, in general, they were welcomed everywhere in the world.

“I always felt welcome wherever we have gone,” said Charman.

“It’s not all about war,” said Buskeness. “I built infrastructure to build relationships.”

Buskeness recalled being in Ethiopia, one of the poorest countries on the planet. Even there, he said, nearly every home had an Ethiopian flag displayed. He said it was amazing the pride people take in the countries all around the world.

Both also said their military experience opened them up to meeting such a wide variety of people.

Although Buskeness and Charman met as young boys in first grade, it sure appears their life experiences were molded by that friendship and have expanded well beyond that — because of the military.

And Taco Bell.