I joined the Army on 10 July 1985 and attended basic and AIT at Fort Benning, GA, as an Infantryman (11B). My first assignment was to the Scout Platoon as a sniper of the 2nd Bn (Mech), 21st Infantry (Gimlets), 24th Infantry Division, Ft. Stewart, GA. Toward the end of my tour I drove for the Battalion S-3 until my PCS.
After 13 months, I was assigned to West Germany to the 2nd Bn (Mech), 36th Infantry (Rangers) as an M113 Driver and BIFV Team Leader. During that time the Cold War was going strong and tours in Grafenwoer, Hohensfel, REFORGER, and the East/West German Border were common.
In 1989 I was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry (Pioneers), Ft. Benning, GA, as an Instructor at the Basic Bradley Course. While assigned, I saw the development of the M2A2 BIFV and the M2A2ODS. Desert Storm came and the battalion was responsible for training Basic Trainees, IRR, and National Guard Replacements. The battalion itself committed 26 soldiers to the operation.
In 1992 I volunteered for assignment to South Korea where I was assigned as the Assistant Operations Sergeant of the 1st Bn (Mech), 5th Infantry (Bobcats). The DMZ was still hot and the usual infiltrations from the North were nonstop. We gave up our mission on the DMZ and deactivated the 3rd Brigade allowing the 2nd Infantry Division to be the only true round-out division having Mechanized, Armor and Light Infantry in its two remaining brigades.
After my one year tour, I returned to Ft. Benning, GA, to the 1st Bn (Mech), 18th Infantry (Striker), 24th Infantry Division. I was assigned to Delta Company as a Squad Leader, Section Leader and Company Master Gunner. I deployed to Saudi Arabia during Operation Vigilant Warrior were the battalion made history by being the first unit to deploy within 18 hours to prepositioned equipment and ready for combat operations. The unit earned the Army Superior Unit Award for this achievement.
In 1996 I was assigned to the Joint Readiness Training Center, Ft. Polk, LA, as a Mechanized/Armor Squad O/C. One of the Army's truly well kept secrets to teach, coach and mentor our fellow light, mechanized and armor soldiers in the art of low-intensity conflict which paid off in such places as Haiti, Somalia, Bosnia and Kosovo.
In 1999 I was given the privilege of being assigned to 1st Platoon, Cco, 1st Bn (Mech), 26th Infantry (Blue Spaders), 1st Infantry Division, as a Platoon Sergeant. Upon arrival we prepared for our deployment to Kosovo and drew our M2A2 ODS Bradley's. The battalion went on to make history as the first mechanized battalion to totally deploy by air into theater. In six months the battalion left an impoverished country with hope and prosperity.
After giving up the platoon, I took over as C co's 1SG for a twelve months then went over to the S-2 shop as the S2 NCOIC were I completed my tour with the Big Red One.
After serving three years at The Pennsylvania State University, I retired and now reside in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, working with the University of South Florida's Army ROTC Department. I also previously worked for Rossiter's Harley-Davidson were I made my dream of becoming a motorcycle technician come true for eighteen months.
My awards and decorations include:
The Expert Infantryman's Badge (EIB)
The Meritorious Service Medal ( w/ 2 Oak leaves)
The Army Commendation Medal (w/ 4 Oak leaves)
The Army Achievement Medal (w/ 5 Oak leaves)
The Army Superior Unit Award
The Army Good Conduct Medal (w/ 5 Knots)
The National Defense Service Medal
The Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Star
The Kosovo Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
The Korean Defense Service Medal
The War on Terror Service Medal
The Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal
Parachutist Badge
Air assault Badge
Pathfinder Badge
NATO Medal-Kosovo
German Parachutist Badge
NCOPD Ribbon (with numeral 3)
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Ribbon (with numeral 3)
My Military Education includes:
Infantry Basic/AIT
PLDC
BNCOC (Infantry)
ANCOC (Infantry)
Instructor Trainer Course (Infantry)
Bradley Master Gunner Course (Infantry)
NCO Battle Staff Course
Airborne School
Pathfinder School
Air Assault School
Army Precommission Course
My Civilian Education includes:
Masters of Arts in Adult Education from the University of South Florida
Bachelors of Arts in History from the University of South Florida
Associates of Arts in General Studies from Central Texas College
Harley-Davidson Certified Technician from Motorcycle Mechanics Institute
Cadet Command Human Resource Assistant Technician Course
Cadet Command Recruiting Operations Officer Course
After 13 months, I was assigned to West Germany to the 2nd Bn (Mech), 36th Infantry (Rangers) as an M113 Driver and BIFV Team Leader. During that time the Cold War was going strong and tours in Grafenwoer, Hohensfel, REFORGER, and the East/West German Border were common.
In 1989 I was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry (Pioneers), Ft. Benning, GA, as an Instructor at the Basic Bradley Course. While assigned, I saw the development of the M2A2 BIFV and the M2A2ODS. Desert Storm came and the battalion was responsible for training Basic Trainees, IRR, and National Guard Replacements. The battalion itself committed 26 soldiers to the operation.
In 1992 I volunteered for assignment to South Korea where I was assigned as the Assistant Operations Sergeant of the 1st Bn (Mech), 5th Infantry (Bobcats). The DMZ was still hot and the usual infiltrations from the North were nonstop. We gave up our mission on the DMZ and deactivated the 3rd Brigade allowing the 2nd Infantry Division to be the only true round-out division having Mechanized, Armor and Light Infantry in its two remaining brigades.
After my one year tour, I returned to Ft. Benning, GA, to the 1st Bn (Mech), 18th Infantry (Striker), 24th Infantry Division. I was assigned to Delta Company as a Squad Leader, Section Leader and Company Master Gunner. I deployed to Saudi Arabia during Operation Vigilant Warrior were the battalion made history by being the first unit to deploy within 18 hours to prepositioned equipment and ready for combat operations. The unit earned the Army Superior Unit Award for this achievement.
In 1996 I was assigned to the Joint Readiness Training Center, Ft. Polk, LA, as a Mechanized/Armor Squad O/C. One of the Army's truly well kept secrets to teach, coach and mentor our fellow light, mechanized and armor soldiers in the art of low-intensity conflict which paid off in such places as Haiti, Somalia, Bosnia and Kosovo.
In 1999 I was given the privilege of being assigned to 1st Platoon, Cco, 1st Bn (Mech), 26th Infantry (Blue Spaders), 1st Infantry Division, as a Platoon Sergeant. Upon arrival we prepared for our deployment to Kosovo and drew our M2A2 ODS Bradley's. The battalion went on to make history as the first mechanized battalion to totally deploy by air into theater. In six months the battalion left an impoverished country with hope and prosperity.
After giving up the platoon, I took over as C co's 1SG for a twelve months then went over to the S-2 shop as the S2 NCOIC were I completed my tour with the Big Red One.
After serving three years at The Pennsylvania State University, I retired and now reside in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, working with the University of South Florida's Army ROTC Department. I also previously worked for Rossiter's Harley-Davidson were I made my dream of becoming a motorcycle technician come true for eighteen months.
My awards and decorations include:
The Expert Infantryman's Badge (EIB)
The Meritorious Service Medal ( w/ 2 Oak leaves)
The Army Commendation Medal (w/ 4 Oak leaves)
The Army Achievement Medal (w/ 5 Oak leaves)
The Army Superior Unit Award
The Army Good Conduct Medal (w/ 5 Knots)
The National Defense Service Medal
The Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Star
The Kosovo Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
The Korean Defense Service Medal
The War on Terror Service Medal
The Military Outstanding Volunteer Medal
Parachutist Badge
Air assault Badge
Pathfinder Badge
NATO Medal-Kosovo
German Parachutist Badge
NCOPD Ribbon (with numeral 3)
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Ribbon (with numeral 3)
My Military Education includes:
Infantry Basic/AIT
PLDC
BNCOC (Infantry)
ANCOC (Infantry)
Instructor Trainer Course (Infantry)
Bradley Master Gunner Course (Infantry)
NCO Battle Staff Course
Airborne School
Pathfinder School
Air Assault School
Army Precommission Course
My Civilian Education includes:
Masters of Arts in Adult Education from the University of South Florida
Bachelors of Arts in History from the University of South Florida
Associates of Arts in General Studies from Central Texas College
Harley-Davidson Certified Technician from Motorcycle Mechanics Institute
Cadet Command Human Resource Assistant Technician Course
Cadet Command Recruiting Operations Officer Course