After discharge from the US Navy on 27 Jun 1946, Jim joined the US Army on 13 Sep 1947 and continued his military service in that organization until retirement on 31 Dec 1966 as a Sergeant Major in the US Army Chemical Corps (MOS: 54E-Nuclear, Biological, And Chemical (NBC) Specialist). His assignments took him to Pine Bluff Arsenal, AR; Panama Canal Zone and San Jose Island; US Virgin Islands; Tooele Army Depot, UT; Kaiserslautern, Berlin and Neu Ulm, Germany; Trois Fontaines and Orleans, France; Fort Hood and Fort Sam Houston, TX; and Fort McClellan, AL.
During the period 1947-1950, while assigned to the San Jose Project (at San Jose Island and Fort Sherman, Panama Canal Zone, and St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands) Jim participated in the operation of a Chemical Agent Storage Facility and toxic chemical agent tests.
Throughout the years 1950-1966, Jim was assigned to various positions. The majority of his service was performed as an Operations Sergeant of S-3 or Chemical Sections in the Headquarters of several US Army organizations. These included: Berlin Command; 1st and 4th Armored Divisions; 100th Tank Battalion; Fourth US Army; US Army Europe (Rear)/Communication Zone; 83rd Chemical Battalion (Service); US Army Chemical School and Training Center; and 100th Chemical Group. He was granted and maintained a Top Secret Security Clearance. He received several awards and decorations including two prestigious Army Commendation Medals.
To cite a few other assignments: Toxic Gas Handler, San Jose Project; Toxic Gas Handler and First Sergeant, 421st Ordnance Ammunition Company; Scout Section Leader, Headquarters, Combat Command â??Aâ??, 4th Armored Division; Platoon Sergeant, 22nd Chemical Company (Combat Support).
During his military career with the US Army, Jim attended and satisfactorily completed several service and civilian schools designed to improve his leadership and technical knowledge and skills. These included:
-- 8 week Electricity Course at the US Army Engineer School, Fort Belvoir, VA.
-- 64 hour Chemical, Biological & Radiological Defense Training Course at Frankfurt Military Post, Frankfurt, Germany.
-- 26 hour Spoken French I - EM 500 Course presented by members of the Army Education Center, HQ, Berlin Military Post.
-- 83 hour Chemical, Biological & Radiological Specialist Course conducted by members of HQ, Berlin Command, Berlin, Germany.
-- 8 hour Projection Equipment Operator's Course conducted by members of the Army Film & Equipment Exchange Services at HQ, Fourth United States Army.
-- 20 hour Effective Writing Course presented by members of HQ, Fort Sam Houston, TX.
-- 40 hour Chemical Equipment Maintenance Course (Class 101) at US Army Chemical Depot, Midwest, Pine Bluff Arsenal, AR.
-- 2 week Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Leadership Course No. 58-12 conducted by members of the Army Education Center at Wiley Barracks, Neu Ulm, Germany. He graduated in first place.
-- 4 week Seventh US Army NCO Academy at Munich, Germany. He graduated in first place.
-- 60 hour Chemical, Biological and Radiological Officer and NCO Instructor Course conducted at Neu Ulm, Germany, by members of HQ, 4th Armored Division.
-- 8 week Advanced Chemical NCO (Staff Specialist) Course, Class No. 2, at the US Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 85 hour Chemical Munition Disposal Extension Course, presented by the US Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 1 week Evasion and Escape Exercise presented by the US Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 165 hour Chemical, Biological and Radiological Enlisted Extension Course presented by the US Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 81 hour Enlisted Nuclear Defense Extension Course presented by the US Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 218 hour Army Precommission Extension Course presented by the US Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, GA.
-- 159 hour Chemical Officer Orientation Extension Course presented by the US Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 80 hour Department of Defense (DoD) Nuclear Defense Extension Course presented by the US Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 172 hour Chemical, Biological and Radiological Officer Extension Course presented by the US Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 111 hour Chemical Supply Officer Extension Course presented by the US Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 153 hour Chemical Officer Familiarization Extension Course presented by the US Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 198 hour Chemical Officer Career Extension Course presented by the US Army Chemical School, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 20 hour Emergency Medical Care Course presented by HQ, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- 6 Hour Course of Instruction for Educational Development Program Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs) presented by members of the Army Education Center, Fort McClellan, AL.
-- Per Change 1, AR 611-208, dated 29 Jul 1964, subject: "Proficiency Pay for Enlisted Personnel", the US Army conducted annual Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) tests for NCOs. Those participants who received extremely high test scores were granted Proficiency Pay for Superior Performance. Jim always scored high on those tests and was awarded Proficiency Pay as a Sergeant Major in MOS 54E (Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) Staff Specialist) during the years 1964-66.
-- 30 hour course of study required for Civilian Defense Leaders - Radiological Monitoring for Instructors presented by members of the Department of Defense, Office of Civil Defense, State of Alabama and the University of Alabama.
-- Certificate of Equivalency of High School Graduation from the Department of Education, State of Arkansas, Little Rock, AR.
-- 8 hour course of study and special training for the Aerial Monitor Instructor Course conducted by the State of Alabama Civil Defense Department.
-- Comprehensive College Tests, General Examinations, US Armed Forces Institute, Madison, WI, and was awarded college credits equal to two years of college education.
-- 1 week Radiological Defense Officer Course conducted by members of the Office of the Secretary of the Army, Office of Civil Defense at Civil Defense Staff College, Battle Creek, MI.
-- Individual Income Tax Course conducted by H & R Block, Inc., Gadsden, AL.
In recognition of his military service with the US Army, Sergeant Major Jimmie D. Mains received the following awards: Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster; Good Conduct Medal (6th Award); Army of Occupation Medal - Germany; National Defense Service Medal; Cold War Certificate; Expert Badge with Rifle Bar; Marksman Badge with Carbine Bar.
After retiring from the US Army on 31 Dec 1966, Jim entered US Civil Service on 2 May 1967 and was employed by the US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Commodity Distribution Program (CDP) which later became known as Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).
CDP/FNS was responsible for operation of all USDA food programs; i.e., Food Stamp Program, School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Commodity Distribution Program, etc. In order to accomplish that enormous task, the parent organization was organized into Regions each encompassing several States. The Regions were divided into Districts that were further divided into Field Offices. Varying numbers of Counties within a State were assigned to each Field Office.
While employed with CDP/FNS, Jim was assigned as Officer-in-Charge of Field Offices located at Somerset, KY; Holly Springs, MS; and Eutaw, Birmingham and Anniston, AL. When assigned to a Field Office, he was responsible for all aspects of CDP/FNS activities occurring within each of the Counties assigned to that Field Office.
During the period 1973-74, Jim was employed as Supervisor, Food Stamp Quality Control Program, with assignment in FNS's Southeast Regional Office at Atlanta, GA. Activities included supervision of his team of inspectors engaged in the conduct of Quality Control Inspections of Food Stamp Program operations within each of the 8 States assigned to the Region.
Throughout his service with CDP/FNS, Jim retained the pay grade of GS-11 while assigned to Field Office positions and GS-12 when assigned to the Regional Office.
On 16 Oct 1982, Jim transferred from USDA's FNS to the US Department of Defense (DoD) and was employed as a Military Research Analyst in the US Army Chemical School at Fort McClellan, AL.
Initially, Jim was assigned in pay grade GS-11 to the Studies Branch, Concepts and Studies Division, Directorate of Combat Developments (DCD).
On 14 Oct 1984, Jim was promoted to GS-12 and reassigned to the Force Analysis Branch, Organization and Personnel Systems Division, DCD.
During those assignments, Jim participated in the conduct of several studies, performed various force analysis type operations and was cited as "the Chemical Corps recognized expert on force structure". He coordinated activities pertinent to Chemical Functional Area Assessments (CFAAâ??s) and vehicular requirements of Chemical organizations. He was granted and maintained a Top Secret Security Clearance.
During his civil service career with USDA and DoD, Jim attended and satisfactorily completed several service and civilian schools designed to improve his leadership and technical knowledge and skills. These included:
-- 2 week Training Session for Consumer Food Programs Officers-in-Charge, US Department of Agriculture, Consumer and Marketing Service, Consumer Food Programs, Southeast Regional Office, Atlanta, GA.
-- 40 hour Introduction to Supervision Course presented by members of the Atlanta Region, US Civil Service Commission.
-- 40 hour 1973 National Quality Control Training Course presented by members of the Food Stamp Division, US Department of Agriculture, Atlanta, GA.
-- 40 hour Basic Management Functions Course presented by members of the US Civil Service Commission, Atlanta Region.
-- 40 hour 1974 National Quality Control Training Course presented by members of the Food Stamp Division, US Department of Agriculture, Atlanta, GA.
-- Statistical Sampling for Auditors Course presented by instructors from the Bernard M. Baruch College of the University of New York at Washington, D.C.
-- 48 hour Real Estate Course conducted by Wingard Real Estate School, Anniston, AL.
-- Accounting Courses at University of Alabama (UAB).
-- 16 day Directorate of Combat Developments (DCD) Orientation Course presented by members of the US Army Chemical School.
-- 72 hour course of study required for Civil Preparedness Leaders: Radiological Monitoring, presented by members of the State of Alabama Civil Defense Department.
-- 8 hour Proofreading Workshop presented by members of HQ, Fort McClellan, AL
-- 80 hour Contracting Officers' Representative Course, at US Army Logistics Management Center, Fort Lee, VA.
-- 80 hour Integrated Logistics Support Management Techniques in Materiel Acquisition Course at US Army Logistics Management Center, Fort Lee, VA.
-- 3 week Force Integration Course - Developing the Force, Course No. 2G-54C, at US Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS. He was the designated "Honor Graduate" for that class.
-- 8 hour Speed Reading Course presented by members of the US Army Chemical School.
-- 8 hour Prevention of Sexual Harassment - Employee Course, presented by members of the US Army Chemical School.
-- 4 week Training Developer Course, Class No. 86-3, at US Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS.
-- 40 hour Computer Literacy for Auditors Course at US Army Logistics Management Center, Fort Lee, VA.
-- Basic Income Tax Preparation Course conducted by H & R Block, Inc., Anniston, AL.
-- 12 hour Personal Computer - Getting Started Course conducted by Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL.
-- 6 hour Microsoft Front Page Course conducted by Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL.
In recognition of his civil service with DoD, Military Research Analyst Jimmie D. Mains received the Department of the Army Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
After more than 43 years in service to his country, Jim became an avid genealogist. He researched material pertaining to the ancestors of his close and extended family members and developed a library of facts, suppositions, assumptions and family lore. He wrote and published genealogy books that will be used for the enlightenment of future generations of his relatives.
Jim continues to support non-profit activities of veterans organizations, civic groups and clubs in which he has maintained membership; including: Chemical Corps Regimental Association (CCRA) - (at MG Gerald G. Watson Chapter, served in positions of Operations Officer and Advisor; at the National Headquarters, currently serving as a Director at Large); Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 924 - (served in positions of Quartermaster/Adjutant, Trustee and Service Officer); NARFE Chapters 0353 and 1511 â?? (at Chapter 0353, served in position of Treasurer); The American Legion; Disabled American Veterans (DAV); Association of the US Army (AUSA) â?? Anniston Satellite, Redstone-Huntsville Chapter; Brotherhood of Protective Order of the Elks (BPOE) Lodge No. 189; Berlin US Military Veterans Association (BUSMVA); USS Bayfield (APA-33) Veterans Association; 1st Armored Division Association; Sergeant Majors Association - Redstone Arsenal; Veterans of Underage Military Service (VUMS); Together We Served. He has received several prestigious awards, for example: for his military and civilian service in the US Army Chemical Corps, the CCRA presented him with the â??Ancient Order of the Dragonâ?? award; while serving as Post Quartermaster at VFW Post 924, he received the state-wide title "Captain All-State Team of Post Quartermasters".
On 27 Oct 2010, Jim joined a group of about 170 WW II veterans and their guardians and traveled to/from Birmingham, AL - Washington, D.C. to visit numerous memorial sites located in parks at our nation's capitol. The trip was sponsored by Honor Flight, Inc., to recognize American veterans for their sacrifices and achievements.
During the period 23 - 30 Oct 2011, Jim joined a selected group of 11 Berlin US Military Veterans Association (BUSMVA) members and participated in the 2011 Welcome Home to Berlin Tour. This expense paid trip was sponsored by the Checkpoint Charlie Foundation (CCF) (an affiliate of the German Government) whose goal is to develop and maintain German-American relations. The CCF promotes and organizes various projects and programs, while at the same time serving the interests of both countries as a contact organization.
Other Comments:
Peavy, Dr. Thomas, SP5 Medical Department
Sergeant Major,
Thanks for the stop-by at my page. Additional thank for your service beyond the USN. What a career you have had. You are a part of the generation in which my dad and uncles served. You men of WWII are my heroes. I grew up hearing of the great things all of you did. Were it not for you and those men, our nation and lives would be so different. My one enlistment in the USAR was instructive and certainly prepared me for a return to the Navy as a Corpsman. Little did I know that I would spend twelve years attached to the Fleet Marine Force as a Corpsman based on my Army time. Old Senior Chief Petty Officers such as I are honored to offer an honorary rack in the Goatlocker to those who hold ranks equivalent to Chief and above. If you have an opportunity drop by my Together We Served USN page and pay a visit. In my Chief's mess you are always welcomed. Thanks again for all you have done for our nation in and out of uniform.
Dr. Thomas Peavy, HMCS,USNR,(Ret.)
Corpsman of Marines
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SGT Tom Wetzel
TOP, us young squirts want you to know that we know who really runs/ran the military. You are a credit to your country and ALL military services. Part of " THE GREATEST GENERATION" which is something I truly envy. There was a significant degradation of individual integrity beginning with us baby boomers that makes your whole generation a group to model ourselves after. Thank You for your service to our country. Tom ( Viet Era)
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1957-1957, 133.10, Combat Command A, 4th Armored Division
Best Friends CPT John L. Peters, Company Commander
Other Memories In Oct 1957, Jim was transferred to HHC, Combat Command "A", 4th Armored Division, at Fort Hood, TX. He and his family resided in temporary quarters off post at Killeen, TX. He performed duties as the Scout Section Leader in that Headquarters. His work involved preparing the Scout Section for movement to Europe.
He retained pay grade Sergeant First Class (E-6) and was assigned new MOS 133.60 - Armor Intelligence Specialist.
