Where did you serve and what did you do?

(U) A native of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, entered the United States Army as a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard in 1995 and attended One Station Unit Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri where I trained as a Combat Engineer. In 2000, enlisted in the United States Army and in 2003 was commissioned a Combat Engineer Officer from the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning, Georgia. Later designated a Functional Area FA34 Strategic Intelligence Officer, and retired out of Special Operations Command (SOCOM) here at MacDill AFB in Tampa.
(U) Deployments: Operation Joint Guardian, Kosovo (2002), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), Ar Ramadi, Iraq (2005), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Kabul Afghanistan (2011), Operation Freedom’s Sentinel (OFS), Kabul Afghanistan (2014).

(U) Awards and Decorations: Bronze Star Medal (1OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (1OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (1OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal. Earned the Combat Action Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Sapper & Ranger Tab(s). I am also the recipient of the US Army Engineer Regiments Bronze de Fleury Medal.

How are you Still Serving?

I currently serve as the Senior Army Instructor for the Lennard High School Army JROTC program in Ruskin, Florida, where I oversee 160 Cadets in developing leadership, citizenship, and character. The program emphasizes discipline, service, and academic excellence to prepare students for success beyond high school.

Why do you do it?

Although I am retired from active duty, my commitment to service did not end with my military career. Serving as a JROTC instructor allows me to pass on Army values while positively shaping future Cadets into citizens and leaders.