| Duty
Position(s): Assistant Sergeant of the Guard Relief Commander Relief: Brief Army History: Units: |
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| Awards
/ Decorations: Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award) Army Commendation Medal (7th Award) Army Achievement Medal (10th Award) Air Force Achievement Medal Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award) Reserve Component Achievement Medal (2nd Award) National Defense Service Medal (w/BBS) Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Armed Forces Service Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal (w/"M" Device) Southwest Asia Service Medal (w/ BBS) Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal NATO Medal (w/Former Yugoslavia suspension bar) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) Joint Meritorious Unit Award Army Superior Unit Award Oregon National Guard Faithful Service Ribbon (w/"M" Device) Tomb Guard Identification Badge Expert Infantryman Badge Master Parachutist Badge Pathfinder Badge Botswana Parachutist Badge French Parachutist Badge Ecuadorian Parachutist Badge German Troop Duty Proficiency Badge (Gold) Air Assault Badge |
Campaigns: Cease Fire (1991-1995)
Former Yugoslavia (1995-1996) |
Highest Rank:
First Sergeant (E-8) |
| Home
City / State: Reedsport, OR |
Date of Birth: |
After the Army:
After leaving the active Army in 2000 I became a Oregon State Trooper assigned to the Patrol Division. I've been enjoying the great outdoors by going on hikes, climbs and bike rides. My father has just retired, and has nothing better to do than "smoke" his eldest. I am trying to get in shape to beat him on bike rides! Just before the historic lay-offs with the State Police, I was thankfully activated for Operation Noble Eagle/Armored Falcon to augment Air Base Security and promptly got divorced.
Needed a change so I volunteered for re-assignment to help create the Army National Guard Warrior Training Center Air Assault Course as the Chief Instructor. We traveled around the US and Germany taking the Air Assault course to units/soldiers/airmen who were deploying and it was during that assignment I met Amy. Since I was never laid-off with the Oregon State Police, I returned to my patrol car after getting married to my best friend Amy in 2005.
Current
Occupation:
I am working as a Trooper with the Oregon State
Police. I'm also preparing my unit for deployment in the near future.
Degrees/Schooling:
Western Oregon State College, 1988
Central Texas College, 1997
Northern Virginia Community College, 2000
Oregon State Police Academy, 2001
Clatsop Community College, 2002
Most Memorable Moment at Tomb:
May 14, 1998 was the day we said goodbye to the Vietnam Unknown Soldier. It
was a difficult day emotionally and physically for 1st Relief, as we had
conducted all of the lower landing guard changes the day prior, and did all of
the changes that day. We had been conducting the changes on the lower landing
while the plaza was being prepared for the ceremony, so you can imagine how many
times we walked the stairs.
Unfortunately we, the Tomb Guards, were not allowed on the plaza (except for the Sentinel posted), so we had to stand outside of the chains on the north side. This did not set well, and many of us were angry with the command and cemetery for that call.
After the ceremony was complete (during which I heard a few sniffles and came close to tears myself), I changed the guard with SPC Michael Wilson coming on, and SPC Jeff Hojnacke coming off. We conducted a Silent Guard Change in memory of our brother. All of the heel clicks and movements were perfect, and it sent a chill through my spine when we were done.
I continue to think that there are 4 Unknown Soldiers buried in the plaza, as the Vietnam Unknown will always be with me.
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