Military Career

Operation Enduring Freedom

In February of 2009, I attended Basic Training for the US Army Infantry at Fort Benning, Georgia and successfully completed my training that May. I arrived at my first duty station at Fort Polk Louisiana, where I was part of a Heavy Weapons Platoon in 10th Mountain, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 2-30 Infantry Division, Delta Company. I was one of the designated SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) gunners.

We deployed to a combat zone in the Logar Province, Charkh District of Afghanistan that October. I was wounded in action June 25, 2011. My injuries included a fractured neck, fractured scapula, a blood clot to my brain, and burns to my face and chest.

After a year of recovery and protests against medical retirement I was finally cleared to return to active duty. I re-enlisted that following day. Not soon after I was designated a team leader which was composed of a fire team of four, including myself. I earned the rank of Sergeant soon after, becoming a non-commissioned officer. The Army taught me the difference between being a leader and being a boss. Being accountable to those you lead and understanding that you are there to serve them, not the other way around.

Operation Inherent Resolve

Requesting to stay inside the 10th Mountain Division, I was moved to Fort Drum NY which is next to the Canadian border. Up there I became part First Brigade 10th Mountain 2-22 Infantry. Otherwise known as ‘triple deuce’. Here I became a squad leader in charge of eight men and over $500,000 worth of equipment. We deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve where I was in charge of the main security gate in Baghdad, Iraq. I finished my service losing no men or equipment and was discharged honorably in 2017.