Military branch, years of service, and rank

US Army (Transportation Corps), 5 yrs, 1LT

Job Assignments

Platoon Leader, 15th Transportation Company, Stuttgart, GE;, HQ Company Commander, 4th Transportation Battalion, Ft. Lewis, WA; S1, 593rd Area Support Group, Mogadishu, Somalia.

Awards and decorations

National Defense Service Medal; Southwest Asia Service Medal; Kuwait Liberation Medal; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

How did you service and experiences affect your life?

My experience in the service gave me the skills and confidence to think I can do pretty much anything. While that may not actually be true, I find there are few things that I’m not willing to attempt. It also gave me an understanding that I need to work at a place where I’m giving back. Ever since I got out of the Army I’ve always worked at non-profits or higher education.

What is your current career?

I’m an event planner. It’s very much like what I did while managing transportation in the military, basically moving people and materials to achieve a set objective. Of course, now it’s fun events and not field movements or going to war, so it’s a little less stressful.

How do you see the Veterans Network helping to create community at the UO for veterans?

I hope we can create community with this group by not only finding things we have in common, but also in finding ways that we can continue to give back. For most of us, our commitment to service didn’t stop when we left the military.