Military Info

Before coming back to school to earn my doctorate, I served seven years as a United States Air Force Intelligence Officer. Commissioned in 1985, I came on active duty in August of 1986 as a Cartographic/Geodetic Officer. Assigned to the Geodetic Survey Squadron (later Survey Group), I provided survey support (latitude, longitude, elevation) for operational weapons systems and those under testing. After working with the survey teams for the first part of my tour I moved on to survey planning. Working closely with other Department of Defense agencies, I helped refine survey requirements, schedules and survey team deployments; ensuring the field data met the requirements of high precision strategic and tactical weapons systems.

For my second tour I was assigned to the 7454 Tactical Intelligence Squadron as a Combat Targeting Officer, helping to maintain the air and air related targets list, as well as performing weaponeering (recomending which bombs would best be used to destroy a given target). This training was to come in handy as I was selected to participate in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, working with Headquarters, Central Command, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Shortly after returning from Saudi Arabia I went to Turkey to support Operation Provide Comfort II, aiding the Kurds who were being persecuted by Iraq. While there wasn't much targeting I did gain valuable briefing experience and was able to refine my analytical skills. It also afforded me the opportunity to do a little interpreting between American and French imagery analysts.

Presently I am an Individual Mobilization Augmentee and teach Combat Targeting at Goodfellow AFB in Texas for a few weeks each summer. This keeps my military skills current and gives me some money so I can go to France to do my research.

During my assignments I've had the opportunity to earn several medals and awards, which I've listed below.

Joint Service Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters. The Joint Service Commendation Medal is awarded to personnel on duty in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the Defense Supply Agency, the National Security Agency, other joint agencies reporting to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, joint task forces, or NATO organizations. The award is for meritorious achievement or service. I earned mine for my work with the Defense Mapping Agency (now a part of NIMA - National Imagery and Mapping Agency), Operations DESERT SHIELD/STORM and Operation PROVIDE COMFORT II.

Air Force Commendation Medal. The Air Force Commendation Medal may be awarded for outstanding achievement or meritorious service rendered specifically on behalf of the Air Force, for acts of courage that do no meet the requirements for award of the Airman's Medal or the Bronze Star Medal, or for sustained meritorious performance by crew members. The medal is awarded to those below the grade of brigadier general. I earned mine for my work in Germany.

Joint Meritorius Unit Award. This ribbon is awarded in teh name of the Secretary of Defense to Joint activities of the Department of Defense for meritorious achievement or service, superior to that normally expected, during combat with an armed enemy of the United States, during a declared national emergency, or under extraordinary circumstances that involved the national interest. I earned mine for my work in Operations DESERT SHIELD/STORM.

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster. Established in 1954, this award recognizes units that distinguish themselves by exceptionally meritorious service or outstanding achievement that clearly sets the units above and apart from similar units. It is awarded to units not larger than a wing for meritorious achievement or service in support of military operations or of great significance in accomplishment not involving combat operations. I earned mine for my work in Germany.

National Defense Service Medal. This medal has been authorized for honorable active service for any period between 27 June 1950 adn 27 July 1954. Persons on active duty for puposes other than extended active duty are not eligible for this award. It has also been authorized for Cold War service from 1 January 1961 to 14 August 1974 and again for service during Operations DESERT SHIELD/STORM from 2 August 1990 to a cut-off date not yet announced. I earned mine for my work in Operations DESERT SHIELD/STORM.

Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 campaign stars. The Southwest Asia Service Medal has been authorized to those servicemembers who served in teh Persian gulf area in Operations DESERT SHIELD/STORM from 2 August 1990 to a cut-off date not yet announced. Those who served in Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Turkey, including airspace, directly supporting combat operations between 17 June 1991 and a cut-off date not yet announced are also eligible for the medal. I earned mine for Operations DESERT SHIELD/STORM.

Humanitarian Service Medal. This medal is awarded to those who after 1 April 1975 distinguished themselves by meritorious direct participation in significant military acts or operations of a humanitarian nature. I earned mine for my work in Operation PROVIDE COMFORT II.

Kuwait Liberation Medal (from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). Awarded to U.S. military personnel who served in the theater of operations of the Gulf War between 17 January and 21 February 1991. I earned mine for Operations DESERT SHIELD/STORM.

Kuwait Liberation Medal (from the Government of Kuwait). Awarded to U.S. military personnel who served in the theater of operations of the Gulf War between 17 January and 21 February 1991. I earned mine for Operations DESERT SHIELD/STORM.