I entered the U.S. Army in 1977 as an MOS 95B Military Police. My first assignment was at Fort Carson with the 50th Ordnance Company, escorting nuclear warheads that, at the time, were being transported by rail across the United States to keep their locations hidden.

When that program ended, I was transferred to the 19th MP Company at Fort Carson, where I became a Dog Handler and Trainer. My wartime mission involved utilizing a patrol K-9 to secure the TOC (Tactical Operations Center) for the 10th Group Special Forces Unit during training and deployments.

While not in the field, I patrolled Fort Carson with a patrol dog and supported the Bomb Dog team. During our training cycles, I was tasked to attend JOTC (Jungle Operations Training Center) at Fort Sherman, Panama, for jungle training, and to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, for Air Assault Training.

During this period, I was promoted to Sergeant (SGT, E-5) and received a change of station to serve in West Germany. En route, I attended additional training at Lackland Air Force Base for Narcotic Dog Training and Handling in 1980.

Upon arriving in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), I was assigned to the 42nd MP Group Customs. There, with my narcotic detector dog "Manfred," I conducted health and welfare inspections of units throughout Germany. I attended the NCO Academy at Bad Tölz, West Germany, and continued to serve with the 42nd MP Group until I ETS’d in 1983.

In 1983, I left active duty and joined the Army Reserves. In 1989, I returned to active duty and added another MOS—31M, Radio Repair and Operator. I was assigned to a Patriot Missile Battery, where I was responsible for the crew that managed digital communications from the Patriot Missile Fire Control Center to the launchers.

After the Desert Storm mission, I was transferred to Fort Lewis, Washington. I was honorably discharged in 1993 due to the Reduction in Force.

After returning home to Saint Cloud, I joined the American Legion in 1994 and have been an active member ever since.

Commander

Dan Brooks

Vice Commander

Joe McGrath

Vice Commander

Steve Orr

Chaplain

David Nigh

Finance Officer

Daryl Bass

Executive Committee

Jim Poffenbaugh

Executive Committee

Daisy Flores

Executive Committe

Jose Cerrano

Sergeant-at-Arm

Ken Adams