Stutzman, Ralph, LTC

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
I grew up in Germany on military posts and loved the environment. Because of this and my deep love for my country, I wanted to serve in the military.

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I received my commission from ROTC at Western Michigan University and went on active duty as a Signal Corps officer at Fort Sill. Upon completion of my tour of duty, I joined the Kansas Army National Guard in Coffeyville, Kansas, and received a branch transfer to Transportation Corps. I then transferred to the US Army Reserve in Wichita, Kansas, where I remained until I retired.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
While I am considered a Vietnam era veteran, I entered active duty about two months before the withdrawal. I did volunteer for Desert Storm but there didn't seem to be a need for old, fat Majors.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
While I was on active duty at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, I was sent as the Officer in Charge of 75 men to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas for Vietnam refugee support (Operation New Life). We worked eight straight, eleven-hour days erecting over 500 GP Medium tents. This didn't include the replacement of 150 tents that were torn down by the tornado that passed through.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
My first Army Achievement Medal was for publishing an article in the Army Logistician magazine. I also received a Fourth Estate Award from FORSCOM for the article.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
CW4 Lee Fast and LTC Michael Williams because they both went out of their way to make sure that others got as much credit as possible for the positive things that the unit/section did.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
After leaving active duty, I entered the education profession. I spent 28 years in public education as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent. Currently, I am an Associate Professor at Bethel College in Mishawaka, Indiana.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
I teach leadership principles to aspiring school administrators in my role as a professor. Military leadership principles have provided the foundation for all of our discussions of leadership.

It also influenced the way I handle subordinates. They are told that I don't want to hear how things can't work, I want to know how they are going to make them work. Failure is not an option!

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
Never give up--you can do a lot more than you think you can.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
It allows me to remember my military career as it happened. I also liked the opportunity to set up memorial pages for my dad, father-in-law, wife's cousin, and high school classmate.

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