Previously Held MOS 45K20-Armament Repairer
91K-Armament Repairer
45K-Tank Turret Repairer
55B10-Ammunition Specialist
55A-Ammunition Apprentice
77F-Petroleum Supply Specialist
92F-Petroleum Supply Specialist
Service Years
1987 - 2013
Official/Unofficial US Army Certificates
Cold War Certificate
Soldier of the Month
US Army Disabled Veteran Certificate
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
What are you doing now:
I am a Military and Family Readiness Specialist for the New York National Guard in Rochester, NY. My position primarily serves members of the New York Army National Guard and their families, but also assists Veterans of all branches and other services and their combined families, with military and regional resources before, during, and after deployments. I also support Soldier and Family Readiness Groups (SFRG), assist and advise as a liaison between unit leadership and SFRG Volunteers, and train unit leaders and volunteers for their roles in the SFRG.
I am currently the Commander for Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Monroe Powers Chapter 15 (Rochester, NY) and Senior Vice-Commander for Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 412.
I addition to my work and interests, I also assist my wife with her Professional Photography business when she goes on wildlife shoots and her best friend is unable to travel with and assist her.
The 59th Ordnance Brigade was composed of 8 battalion-sized units: 2 ordnance battalions, 5 artillery groups, and a headquarters support battalion. Consisting of more than 6,500 personnel, Brigade units were located in 35 cities and towns throughout the Federal Republic of Germany and the Netherlands. The ordnance battalions supported U.S. units, while the artillery groups supported the NATO countries of the Federal Republic of Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and the Netherlands, exercising interoperability on a daily basis to accomplish the common mission. The 59th Ordnance Brigade combined two missions, the ordnance and the artillery, and performed a mission that was the backbone of the NATO alliance.
Brigade units had histories spanning 3 conflicts and 20 campaigns. Units of the Brigade also earned 35 unit decorations and 177 campaign credits. Two units hit the beach in Sicily and one was a participant in the D-Day landings in Normandy. In Korea, one company took part in the Inchon landings, and still others saw service in Vietnam.
The 59th Ordnance Brigade once served as an integral part of the United States' commitment to her NATO friends, and the Brigade was one of the major deterrent forces within the NATO alliance.
On 15 October 1992, the brigade was officially deactivated according to Headquarters, U.S. Army, Europe, and Seventh Army Permanent Orders 129-3. It officially reactivated, however, on 1 October 1994 at Redstone Arsenal,when it merged with the U.S. Army Ordnance Missile and Munitions Center and School (USAOMMCS) to become the U.S. Army Ordnance Missile and Munitions Center and School/59th Ordnance Brigade.
Best Friends SPC Bell, SPC Smith, PFC Thibideau, PFC Goldberg, SGT G, SPC McDermott, SPC Clifford, and lots of others.
Best Moment Time at the Schwimbad, "The Juke Box" and Berchtesgaden Vacation.
Worst Moment Sleeping in the Arms Room for days at a time while the "special weapons" were being transferred, and sneaking to Pirmesans to shop at the PX and worrying about "fog guard" on the way back (the fear they couldn't find me and would have to access the weapons/ammo without me present...and the ensuing Article 15).
Chain of Command Commander: MAJ Martinucci and First Sergeant: 1SG Fraser.
Other Memories Operation "Blow Torch", Operation "Lights Out" and our farewell party (Operation "Last Gasp")