After I graduated basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Knox, Kentucky as a 19D Cavalry Scout I received orders to Fort Hood (now Fort Cavazos) Texas and was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division.

Being a 19D was the most rewarding experience during my career. I served from the bottom as a Private being a driver on the M2A3 and M3A3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicle (CFV) also known as the Bradley. I deployed with two units under two different Brigades with a third deployment with the 1st Cavalry Division Headquarters.

I served in many different positions throughout my time. I was a Bradley Driver, Dismount, Gunner, Bradley Commander. I held leadership positions as a Team Leader, Squad Leader, Section Leader. I got to do some human resources operations. My last position was the Operation Orders Mangers at the Division Headquarters.

One of the positions I absolutely loved doing was being the narrator for all of the Division level ceremonies. It was so interesting on how I got the job working at the Division Headquarters as the Voice of the Cav.

Being the narrator for all the ceremonies that took place on Cooper Field was such an honor for me. It was something I was really good at and to me it just instilled a greater sense of pride about the 1st Cavalry Division but also the U.S. Army. It started out with me being just the narrator with two other people providing support for each event.

Over the years I learned so much history about the Division. I even narrated numerous III Armored Corps ceremonies as well and learned more history about the other units on Fort Cavazos. I got to meet many leaders during my tenure. I also received many coins from those leaders telling me how great of a job I do in narrating each ceremony.

I felt humbled and honored to narrate all these ceremonies. In attendance to those events were our Veterans that served with these units. Getting to meet and shake hands with the generation that paved the way for where we are at now was so humbling. Among those veterans were a few that “distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.” who were awarded the Medal of Honor. If you go and read the narratives of these Heroes you will be in awe at what they did. You can read about Medal of Honor recipients at National Medal of Honor Museums Website.

While serving as the Division Operations Orders Manager or Operations Sergeant, I learned how to efficiently use the now Office 365 suite. I created tracking mechanisms and processes that greatly had an impact on the Division. This particular job inspired my career in coding. All I wanted to do while in this position was to help make the process and flow of information easier for those at the Company and Platoon level, as they are the ones that are tasked to accomplish the mission.

The 1st Cavalry Division is the only Cavalry Division in the US Army and has a long history. You can read there history on the Divisions web page.

If there is anyone thinking about joining or wanting to know more details or wanting to ask questions please feel free to reach out to me.

Hope you enjoyed reading, have a great day!