2016 BHI Honored Warriors
U.S. Army - Sergeant Stephen Jakel Jr.
My name is SGT Stephen Wayne Jackel Jr. and I am 36 years old. I am married to an amazing and very supportive wife and her name is Adriana. I have 6 wonderful kids were blessed to have. Our oldest daughter is Maya (16), Renee (12), and then Zoey (11). Then there is our two sons, Zayne (9) and then my youngest Zayden (8). Last but not least our baby Jordyn whom is our 2 year old daughter. I was injured in southern Afghanistan on August 23rd, 2011. I was born in Arlington , Texas on June 22nd, 1979. I grew up in Burleson, Texas and went to Crowley High School. After various jobs in construction and sales I finally started my own company in Pest Control. Needed to provide more for my family as far leaving them a legacy and having something a lot more stable I chose to enlist into the military on January 17th of 2008 as a combat engineer in Army. My first duty station was at Ft. Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After 8 months of being there and going through route clearance training before deploying to Iraq with the 4th Engineer Battalion. We deployed to Iraq in February of 2009 and our duties were route clearance. After we cleared the route for the President in the Green Zone we were told all missions were stopped and we were after 3 months to be shifted to Afghanistan as apart of the 30,000 man push. We finished our 12 month deployment in Afghanistan but it was nothing like Iraq in my experience. 2 to 3 fire fights a day, some were just pop shots to the one of our platoon that was in Stars and Stripes Heroes Edition that was 12 hours long. I lost my best friend and another friend of mine to the hands of the Taliban along with 17 other Soldiers we lost that deployment. We dubbed our job being a Combat Engineer " Getting blown up so you don't have to". It was tough being a PFC going through all that plus a divorce process. We returned from our deployment on February of 2010 and I had earned SPC while deployed. in May I finalized my divorce and was awarded custody of my 3 kids as a single father my next step was earn SGT and that is exactly what I did on September of 2010 just shy of 2 years and 7 month mark. i ended meeting the amazing woman I married to now who has stuck by my side through all this hell. we moved duty stations and travel by vehicle to Alaska making a wonderful family trip out of it. Ft. Wainwright was where I would leave my family once more to serve my country again this time with combat experience that would end up saving the live of four men plus myself by the hand of God. We arrived in Alaska on December 28th 2010 and I deployed to Afghanistan once more on May of 2011 to the exact same combat zone, seeing the same blast holes, buildings, and from time to time even the local nationals. it was like a nightmare. At about 1300 on August 23rd 2011my MRAP (mine resistant ambush protected vehicle) was struck by an IED that breached the hull violently ripping through the vehicle then up through the top taking the weapon system off the gunners turret impelling our .50 cal into the engine that was separated from the front of my MRAP during the blast. As a matter of fact both front and back axles where blown out from underneath the vehicle and then landed on its' hull. I awoke to the skin curling sounds of the 2 pinned Soldiers (my dismount and gunner) screaming to the fact that a fire broke out inside the vehicle. With two broken legs I moved myself to position my body in a way so I could put the fire out using my right broken leg, and I did just that. I violently thrashed my right limp leg, slamming in down so I could put the fire out. After I put the fire out I used the wiring hanging down above me that had run along the ceiling and climbed my way to the rear of the vehicle so I could free us from the wreckage. Once there I tried with no success to open the damaged hydraulic door. Looking up, I saw my platoon sergeant looking down at me pointing at the door. He pointed down at the door and I shook my head no, then I pointed up to the hatches above me letting him know that was the only way out. I gathered what strength I had left so I could lift up my broken body to unlatch the hatch above me. I dropped down with a sigh of relief we were being rescued. We were then air lifted to Kandahar Air Field where we were stabilized then moved to Bagram where external halos' were placed on both legs. I was then air lifted to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center where they amputated my lower right leg a few inches below the knee. I arrived at SAMMC on August 28th 2011 where I went through 10 hour surgery where they placed nine screws and two braces in my left foot. I spent four months in a wheel chair before I could walk. I am very blessed to have received the support from family, friends, medical personnel, and several organizations that was given to me throughout my I am awaiting my final ratings from the VA but my proposed are 100% ARMY, 100% VA . I suffered from chronic pain in my left foot ( which was amputated on Jan the 11th of 2013), chronic migraines/headaches, TBI, Anxiety, and lower back pain from damaged vertebrate. I am very outgoing and hope to open Americas' eyes as to reach the utmost heights and talk about my experiences to motivate those who feel there is no hope for this country. I am thankful to have this chance to enjoy the great outdoors as I did throughout my childhood. I was awarded a Purple Heart, 5 Army Commendation Metals one of which is of "Valor", 2 Army Achievement Metals, 2 Nato ISAF Metals, 4 Overseas Service Ribbons, 2 Afghanistan Campaign medals with 4- 3/16" bronze stars, 1 Iraq Campaign Medal with 1-3/16" bronze star, Good Conduct Medal, NCO Developmental Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Medal, and the Nation Defense Medal. I am also honored to wear the Presidential Valorous Unit Citation. I have been rated as an NCO twice, the first rating was a 2/2 and the second was a 1/1. If there was one thing I was only able to say about my service is leading my guys. I enjoyed preparing them for whatever future our nation embraced.
U.S. Marine - Sergeant Joshua M. Bower
Sergeant Joshua M. Bower was born in Johnson City, New York in May of 1985 to Tim and Teri Bower.
Sergeant Bower enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in November of 2005 where he reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. After graduating boot camp, he was assigned to Infantry Training Battalion, Company B, at Camp Geiger, North Carolina for Infantry training. Upon completion of his training in June of 2006, Private First Class Bower was assigned to 3rd Battalion 6th Marines, Kilo Company where he served as a Machine Gun Team Leader, and Squad Leader. In January 2007, Lance Corporal Bower Deployed with 3rd Battalion 6th Marines, and took part in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Habbinniyah, Iraq. During this 2007 tour he was wounded on two separate occasions, IED Blast, and Gunshot Wound. In April 2008 Lance Corporal Bower deployed on his second tour to Iraq in Fallujah as a Vehicle Commander for the Mobile Assault Platoon Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion 6th Marines. He was Meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal during the deployment. He reenlisted in October of 2009. In January of 2010, Corporal Bower deployed to Afghanistan where he served as a Platoon Sergeant in 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines when they pushed into Marjah during operation “Moshtarak”. Sgt Bower was Meritoriously promoted to Sergeant on 2 February 2010. In January of 2011 Sgt Bower reported to the Marine Combat Instructor School on Camp Geiger in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
After graduating from the Marine Combat Instructor School he was assigned to Infantry Training Battalion, Company A. After completing two classes with Alpha Company, Sgt Bower was then moved to the Weapons Instructor Group and took over as Machinegun Section Chief.
Sergeant Bower’s personal awards include (2) Purple Heart Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a “Combat V for Heroism”, 2 Combat Action Ribbons (Iraq & Afghanistan), Along with various other awards. He is married to his wife Danielle Bower of Endicott, New York. Together they have one son, Talon Bower, and twin girls, Alanah and Mckenzie Bower.
Sergeant Bower enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in November of 2005 where he reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina. After graduating boot camp, he was assigned to Infantry Training Battalion, Company B, at Camp Geiger, North Carolina for Infantry training. Upon completion of his training in June of 2006, Private First Class Bower was assigned to 3rd Battalion 6th Marines, Kilo Company where he served as a Machine Gun Team Leader, and Squad Leader. In January 2007, Lance Corporal Bower Deployed with 3rd Battalion 6th Marines, and took part in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Habbinniyah, Iraq. During this 2007 tour he was wounded on two separate occasions, IED Blast, and Gunshot Wound. In April 2008 Lance Corporal Bower deployed on his second tour to Iraq in Fallujah as a Vehicle Commander for the Mobile Assault Platoon Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion 6th Marines. He was Meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal during the deployment. He reenlisted in October of 2009. In January of 2010, Corporal Bower deployed to Afghanistan where he served as a Platoon Sergeant in 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines when they pushed into Marjah during operation “Moshtarak”. Sgt Bower was Meritoriously promoted to Sergeant on 2 February 2010. In January of 2011 Sgt Bower reported to the Marine Combat Instructor School on Camp Geiger in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
After graduating from the Marine Combat Instructor School he was assigned to Infantry Training Battalion, Company A. After completing two classes with Alpha Company, Sgt Bower was then moved to the Weapons Instructor Group and took over as Machinegun Section Chief.
Sergeant Bower’s personal awards include (2) Purple Heart Medals, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a “Combat V for Heroism”, 2 Combat Action Ribbons (Iraq & Afghanistan), Along with various other awards. He is married to his wife Danielle Bower of Endicott, New York. Together they have one son, Talon Bower, and twin girls, Alanah and Mckenzie Bower.
U.S. Marines - Sergeant John "Tig" Tiegen - (CIA Global Response Staff Team member in Battle of Benghazi)
John “Tig” Tiegen - born in 1976 - is a former Marine Sergeant from Colorado who spent several years as a security contractor for Blackwater. He served the company on missions in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq before going to work for the CIA’s Global Response Staff.
Quiet and precise, the married father of infant twins was in the midst of his third trip to Benghazi, Libya for the CIA's GRS when the attacks of September 11, 2012 occurred. He was the most experienced in the city and assisted in saving the lives of many. Tiegen received the Award For Heroism in recognition of his bravery and valor.
He is the co-author of 13 Hours along with members of the Annex Security team and NYT's best-selling author, Mitchell Zuckoff.
Quiet and precise, the married father of infant twins was in the midst of his third trip to Benghazi, Libya for the CIA's GRS when the attacks of September 11, 2012 occurred. He was the most experienced in the city and assisted in saving the lives of many. Tiegen received the Award For Heroism in recognition of his bravery and valor.
He is the co-author of 13 Hours along with members of the Annex Security team and NYT's best-selling author, Mitchell Zuckoff.
U.S. Army - Sergeant Margaret Tiegen
Margaret Tiegen, wife of John “Tig” Tiegen, is a woman of courage and accomplishment in her own right. Margaret and Tig met in 1998 just before she enlisted in the United States Army where she served as a 63B light-wheeled diesel mechanic.
“Little but mighty” describes her military performance.
At a diminutive five feet two inches, Margaret exerted might through determination and a willingness to accept the challenges of her unit and compete with her fellow soldiers.
Margaret’s injuries resulted from her work as a mechanic on 5 ton trucks, Humvees and 2 and a half ton trucks as well as fuel tankers and water tankers; carrying replacement parts weighing up to 150 pounds over distances longer than a football field.
Demonstrating enthusiasm for all the opportunities offered to her unit, Margaret achieved her E-5 rank in just two years, won the truck rodeo on her base, and graduated first in her class for Vehicle Recovery. Margaret operated a huge military tow truck to recover up-ended trucks from ravines demonstrating her ability to operate heavy equipment with skill and accuracy.
The Tiegens were married shortly after she completed boot camp. Margaret deployed to Kuwait a few weeks after September 11, 2001 and completed her military service in 2002.
She returned to Kuwait as an overseas contractor for the next five years moving soldiers to and from camps in Kuwait and the “green zone” in Bagdad, Iraq.
While Tig continued his work as an overseas contractor, Margaret returned to Colorado to build their home outside of Colorado Springs. Doing much of the work herself, the home was completed in 18 months.
Currently, Margaret runs a small custom cake business from her home and raises their four-year-old twins with John “Tig”, her husband of 17 years.
“Little but mighty” describes her military performance.
At a diminutive five feet two inches, Margaret exerted might through determination and a willingness to accept the challenges of her unit and compete with her fellow soldiers.
Margaret’s injuries resulted from her work as a mechanic on 5 ton trucks, Humvees and 2 and a half ton trucks as well as fuel tankers and water tankers; carrying replacement parts weighing up to 150 pounds over distances longer than a football field.
Demonstrating enthusiasm for all the opportunities offered to her unit, Margaret achieved her E-5 rank in just two years, won the truck rodeo on her base, and graduated first in her class for Vehicle Recovery. Margaret operated a huge military tow truck to recover up-ended trucks from ravines demonstrating her ability to operate heavy equipment with skill and accuracy.
The Tiegens were married shortly after she completed boot camp. Margaret deployed to Kuwait a few weeks after September 11, 2001 and completed her military service in 2002.
She returned to Kuwait as an overseas contractor for the next five years moving soldiers to and from camps in Kuwait and the “green zone” in Bagdad, Iraq.
While Tig continued his work as an overseas contractor, Margaret returned to Colorado to build their home outside of Colorado Springs. Doing much of the work herself, the home was completed in 18 months.
Currently, Margaret runs a small custom cake business from her home and raises their four-year-old twins with John “Tig”, her husband of 17 years.
U.S. Air Force - Staff Sgt. Jason Morgan
US Air Force Special Operations Command (Airborne), retired Jason Morgan, born in Dallas, Texas in 1969 enlisted into the US Air Force in 1989 and trained to become a combat weatherman. The combat weather team is a small elite unit in the Air Force Special Operations Command.
Combat Weather Teams are organized, trained and equipped to provide meteorological and oceanographic intelligence information in and for the Army’s special operations theaters of conflict. Duties performed range from staff support to ground combat operations, which include tactical infiltration, observing, forecasting, training indigenous personnel to take limited observations, and mission tailoring of environmental information.
In June of 1999, Staff Sergeant Jason Morgan was deployed to South America on a counter narcotics mission while attached to the 160th SOAR (Special Operations Aviation Regiment) called the Night Stalkers. Trying avoid a dangerous situation, the driver of the SUV that Morgan was riding in, lost control of the vehicle which began flipping down a ravine. Jason was ejected from the back seat and the vehicle rolled over him crushing his back and leaving him face down in shallow water unable to move or breathe. An American mission working in South America pulled Jason out of the water and coordinated a rescue. After waking from a coma two months, the doctors told him that he was lucky to be alive but paralyzed from the waist down and would never walk again.
3 1/2 Years of hospitalization and countless surgeries was followed by pain and depression. Soon after his injury, Morgan's marriage ended and he raised his three young boys almost entirely by himself.
Morgan's current mission is to speak to groups about the things a person can do – not what they think they can’t. After receiving his service dog from Canine Companions for Independence in 2010, Morgan has been active speaking to schools, churches, boy scouts and other organizations educating about service dogs and their roles as well as motivating people how to overcome adversity. As the national spokesperson for Canine Companions for Independence, Morgan volunteers his time by speaking all over the US helping kids and with disabilities and disabled veterans receive these highly trained service dogs at no cost to the recipient. Morgan also regularly visits hospitals and VA facilities with his service dog that he claims makes a world of difference during their difficult time and recovery. Although paralyzed from the waist down and recently losing his leg due to a bone infection, he stays active water and snow skiing, SCUBA diving with his 3 boys, competed and medaled in the Warrior Games (Military Paralympics) and recently pushed his racing wheelchair (not a hand cycle) 26.2 miles in the Marine Corps Marathon.
Combat Weather Teams are organized, trained and equipped to provide meteorological and oceanographic intelligence information in and for the Army’s special operations theaters of conflict. Duties performed range from staff support to ground combat operations, which include tactical infiltration, observing, forecasting, training indigenous personnel to take limited observations, and mission tailoring of environmental information.
In June of 1999, Staff Sergeant Jason Morgan was deployed to South America on a counter narcotics mission while attached to the 160th SOAR (Special Operations Aviation Regiment) called the Night Stalkers. Trying avoid a dangerous situation, the driver of the SUV that Morgan was riding in, lost control of the vehicle which began flipping down a ravine. Jason was ejected from the back seat and the vehicle rolled over him crushing his back and leaving him face down in shallow water unable to move or breathe. An American mission working in South America pulled Jason out of the water and coordinated a rescue. After waking from a coma two months, the doctors told him that he was lucky to be alive but paralyzed from the waist down and would never walk again.
3 1/2 Years of hospitalization and countless surgeries was followed by pain and depression. Soon after his injury, Morgan's marriage ended and he raised his three young boys almost entirely by himself.
Morgan's current mission is to speak to groups about the things a person can do – not what they think they can’t. After receiving his service dog from Canine Companions for Independence in 2010, Morgan has been active speaking to schools, churches, boy scouts and other organizations educating about service dogs and their roles as well as motivating people how to overcome adversity. As the national spokesperson for Canine Companions for Independence, Morgan volunteers his time by speaking all over the US helping kids and with disabilities and disabled veterans receive these highly trained service dogs at no cost to the recipient. Morgan also regularly visits hospitals and VA facilities with his service dog that he claims makes a world of difference during their difficult time and recovery. Although paralyzed from the waist down and recently losing his leg due to a bone infection, he stays active water and snow skiing, SCUBA diving with his 3 boys, competed and medaled in the Warrior Games (Military Paralympics) and recently pushed his racing wheelchair (not a hand cycle) 26.2 miles in the Marine Corps Marathon.
U.S. Army (Special Forces) - Sergeant Major Edward Yellowhair
Sergeant Major Retired Edward Yellowhair was born on the Navajo Reservation in Northeastern Arizona.
After graduating High School, He enlisted in the US Army on November 02, 1982.
After completing Infantry basic training and AIT, Sergeant Major Yellowhair was assigned and served with the 2/503rd Infantry Regt, 101 ABN, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, 2/187th Parachute Infantry Regt, Rep of Panama, 1/10th Infantry Regt, 4th Infantry Mechanized, Fort Carson, Colorado. SGM Yellowhair soon volunteered for Special Forces training and graduated from the “Q” Course in August 1989. He was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group Airborne, Fort Davis in the Rep of Panama, as a Weapons Sergeant with A Co, 3rd BN, 7th SFG(A) Sergeant Major Yellowhair follow on assignments as a Weapons Sergeant on Operational Detachment Alpha 775, 776 (MFF), 793 and Operational Detachment Bravo 770 (B-Team).
Following a short break in service, Sergeant Major Yellowhair joined the North Carolina Army National Guard (ARNG). He was assigned to the North Carolina Military Academy on Fort Bragg as an Instructor with the Non-Commissioned Officers Education System (NCOES) and Officer’s Candidate Course (OCS).
Sergeant Major soon found his way back to the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Community through the ARNG AGR Program and was reassigned to US Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (USAJFKSWCS) ARNG Advisors Office. Sergeant Major Yellowhair follow on assignments as USAJFKSWCS LNO, US Army Special Forces Command (ABN) G3 Operations Sergeant, USAJFKSWCS ARNG Senior Enlisted Advisor and US Army SF Command (ABN) ARNG Senior Enlisted Advisor. Sergeant Major Yellowhair deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan (OEF-A) with 20th Special Forces Group (ABN) and served with Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force as Senior Weapons/Team Sergeant on Operational Detachment Alpha 2235, 2236 and Operational Detachment Bravo 2230.
His military education include US Army Sergeants Major Academy, Advance Non-Commissioned Officers Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Jungle Operations Course, Special Forces Qualifications Course, Airborne Jumpmaster Course, Special Operations and Intel Course, Military Free Fall Course, Army Instructor Course, Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Course, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course, Special Operations SERE Course, Special Operations SFARTEC Course.
Sergeant Major Yellowhair awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), Army Commendation Medal with 3 OLC, Army Achievement Medal with 4 OLC, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, Good Conduct Medal (8 award), the National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Operation Just Cause), GWOT Expeditionary Medal, GWOT Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, NOC Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (5th award), Reserve Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Special Forces Tab, Expert Infantrymen Badge, Combat Infantrymen Badge with Star, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Free-Fall Jumpmaster Badge, Air Assault Badge, Uruguayan Jumpmaster Badge, Paraguayan Jumpmaster Badge, Germen Military Free-Fall Badge, Canadian Free-Fall Badge, Netherlands Military Free-Fall Badge.
Sergeant Major Yellowhair retired on September 01, 2014 and lives with his wife Katharine and son Steed in Raeford North Carolina. His oldies son Brandon is serving on active duty with the US Navy.
After graduating High School, He enlisted in the US Army on November 02, 1982.
After completing Infantry basic training and AIT, Sergeant Major Yellowhair was assigned and served with the 2/503rd Infantry Regt, 101 ABN, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, 2/187th Parachute Infantry Regt, Rep of Panama, 1/10th Infantry Regt, 4th Infantry Mechanized, Fort Carson, Colorado. SGM Yellowhair soon volunteered for Special Forces training and graduated from the “Q” Course in August 1989. He was assigned to the 7th Special Forces Group Airborne, Fort Davis in the Rep of Panama, as a Weapons Sergeant with A Co, 3rd BN, 7th SFG(A) Sergeant Major Yellowhair follow on assignments as a Weapons Sergeant on Operational Detachment Alpha 775, 776 (MFF), 793 and Operational Detachment Bravo 770 (B-Team).
Following a short break in service, Sergeant Major Yellowhair joined the North Carolina Army National Guard (ARNG). He was assigned to the North Carolina Military Academy on Fort Bragg as an Instructor with the Non-Commissioned Officers Education System (NCOES) and Officer’s Candidate Course (OCS).
Sergeant Major soon found his way back to the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Community through the ARNG AGR Program and was reassigned to US Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (USAJFKSWCS) ARNG Advisors Office. Sergeant Major Yellowhair follow on assignments as USAJFKSWCS LNO, US Army Special Forces Command (ABN) G3 Operations Sergeant, USAJFKSWCS ARNG Senior Enlisted Advisor and US Army SF Command (ABN) ARNG Senior Enlisted Advisor. Sergeant Major Yellowhair deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan (OEF-A) with 20th Special Forces Group (ABN) and served with Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force as Senior Weapons/Team Sergeant on Operational Detachment Alpha 2235, 2236 and Operational Detachment Bravo 2230.
His military education include US Army Sergeants Major Academy, Advance Non-Commissioned Officers Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Jungle Operations Course, Special Forces Qualifications Course, Airborne Jumpmaster Course, Special Operations and Intel Course, Military Free Fall Course, Army Instructor Course, Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Course, Special Operations Target Interdiction Course, Special Operations SERE Course, Special Operations SFARTEC Course.
Sergeant Major Yellowhair awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), Army Commendation Medal with 3 OLC, Army Achievement Medal with 4 OLC, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, Good Conduct Medal (8 award), the National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Operation Just Cause), GWOT Expeditionary Medal, GWOT Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, NOC Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (5th award), Reserve Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Special Forces Tab, Expert Infantrymen Badge, Combat Infantrymen Badge with Star, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Free-Fall Jumpmaster Badge, Air Assault Badge, Uruguayan Jumpmaster Badge, Paraguayan Jumpmaster Badge, Germen Military Free-Fall Badge, Canadian Free-Fall Badge, Netherlands Military Free-Fall Badge.
Sergeant Major Yellowhair retired on September 01, 2014 and lives with his wife Katharine and son Steed in Raeford North Carolina. His oldies son Brandon is serving on active duty with the US Navy.
U.S. Air Force - Senior Airmen Scott Palomino
United States Air Force-Retired, Senior Airmen Scott Palomino. I was a 1C5, Aerospace Control and Warning Systems Operator, assigned to the 603rd Air Control Squadron at Aviano Air Base, Italy. As a 1C5 I tracked and controlled military aircrafts with weapon systems on them. We provided Theater Air Control for all military branches during hostile combat and missions. I was injured in a mortar attack on 10 April 2004 where I lost my left leg, below the knee (BK), while being deployed to Balad Air Base, Iraq, performing Theater Air Support missions. The mortar attack hit three of us, injuring two and killing one, A1C Antoine J. Holt. After losing my left leg, I realized that my life had changed and I now needed to get my education. I attended Texas A&M University-Commerce where I pledged Sigma Chi the second semester of my freshman year. I pledge Sigma Chi because they did not look at me as a man with one leg, as someone who is disabled, or some reject. They showed me the utmost respect and took me in as one of their own. I actually thought that my life was over, that I would not have friends again, and that I would never meet another woman to love. My life changed for the better after meeting all of my Brothers and I will forever be thankful to them and Sigma Chi. My Brothers showed me that life was not over and there was still so much more to live for! I have always been very athletic and enjoy running and playing basketball. And, I also met my wonderful wife, Amanda Michelle Palomino (Alpha Phi), at a Sigma Chi mixer!
I was on the 2013 and 2014 USAF Wounded Warrior Wheelchair Basketball Team, Sitting Volleyball, and Track & Field Team. I took second place in the 1600 M run with a time of 5 min. 34 sec. at the 2013 Wounded Warrior Games. I was the USA Team Captain for the 2014 Invictus Games in London, England, where I also competed in Wheelchair Basketball and Track & Field. I earned two silver medals at the Invictus Games.
I am currently the Director of the Airmen & Family Readiness Center at Carswell AFB, Texas, and Certified Personal Financial Counselor. My goal in life is to continue to work with and support Veterans and their families. I am currently attending TCU and enrolled in the Masters of Social Work (MSW) program.
Major Achievements: I received my Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) from Texas A&M University-Commerce after retiring from the USAF, Intramural Basketball Champions four years in a row at Texas A&M University-Commerce, Meeting the Love of my life, Amanda M. McGill. Getting married on 4 May 2013, My daughter, Abigail Grace, was born on 1 Feb 2014, Purple Heart Recipient, 2004, Operation Iraqi Freedom Combat Wounded Veteran, Air Force Commendation Medal, 2004, Air Force Senior Airman Below-the-Zone Promotion., United States Air Force Basic Training Honor Graduate.
I was on the 2013 and 2014 USAF Wounded Warrior Wheelchair Basketball Team, Sitting Volleyball, and Track & Field Team. I took second place in the 1600 M run with a time of 5 min. 34 sec. at the 2013 Wounded Warrior Games. I was the USA Team Captain for the 2014 Invictus Games in London, England, where I also competed in Wheelchair Basketball and Track & Field. I earned two silver medals at the Invictus Games.
I am currently the Director of the Airmen & Family Readiness Center at Carswell AFB, Texas, and Certified Personal Financial Counselor. My goal in life is to continue to work with and support Veterans and their families. I am currently attending TCU and enrolled in the Masters of Social Work (MSW) program.
Major Achievements: I received my Bachelors of Social Work (BSW) from Texas A&M University-Commerce after retiring from the USAF, Intramural Basketball Champions four years in a row at Texas A&M University-Commerce, Meeting the Love of my life, Amanda M. McGill. Getting married on 4 May 2013, My daughter, Abigail Grace, was born on 1 Feb 2014, Purple Heart Recipient, 2004, Operation Iraqi Freedom Combat Wounded Veteran, Air Force Commendation Medal, 2004, Air Force Senior Airman Below-the-Zone Promotion., United States Air Force Basic Training Honor Graduate.
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