Service to Our Nation
Thirty-four years seems like a long time, but in hindsight, it flew by.
On my 18th birthday, I raised my hand at the Atlanta Military Entrance Processing Center and joined the United States Army as a Private (E-1). Having completed all my graduation requirements, I left Bainbridge High School a semester early to start a new chapter in my life. It was the smartest thing I ever did (other than marrying Dana). It opened so many opportunities to me. I traveled the world. I tore down the Berlin Wall, was introduced to Bob Hope, escorted Miss Universe, and liberated Kuwait all in my first four years. So, I raised my hand again and thought I might make a career out of it.
On my 27th birthday, I graduated from Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. Over the next 25 years, I led Soldiers around the world. I deployed numerous times, including to Kuwait in 1998 for Operation Desert Thunder, Kuwait in 2002 for Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Iraq in 2011 for Operation New Dawn. Some of my fondest memories are from some of my most challenging assignments:
- Commander, Headquarters Company, 63d Expeditionary Signal Battalion, Fort Gordon, GA
- Commander, Alpha Company, 63d Expeditionary Signal Battalion, Fort Gordon, GA
Advisor, Iraq Ministry of Defense, Baghdad, Iraq- Plans Officer, US Army - Africa, Camp Ederle, Italy
- Commander, 41st Signal Battalion, Camp Coiner (Yongsan), South Korea
- Deputy Commander, US Army Cyber Protection Brigade, Fort Gordon, GA
- Director of Operations, 311th Signal Command (Theater), Fort Shafter, HI
While in the Army, I completed a Bachelors degree in Historical and Political Studies at Chaminade University, a Masters in Educational Leadership at Touro University, and a Masters in Information Technology Management at Webster University. I also completed a Fellowship in International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology Sam Nunn School of International Affairs.
For 34-plus years, I served an oath that: "I will support and the defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same..."
The Army was very good to me. I was honored in 2019 to be inducted in to the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, GA in front of many of my family and friends, and in June 2021, I retired as a Colonel.
*Neither the military information nor photographs imply endorsement by the Department of Defense or the Department of the Army.
