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.
Best Friends PVT Phillips, PVT Petrie, PVT Pollack, PVT Powell, M.,
Best Moment Going to see "The Army Show" on my 18th Birthday with a few select Soldiers...while everyone else had to sit through hours of boring classes on UCMJ! When we returned, a lot of Privates were in the back of the room doing Incline Push-ups, T-Bones, etc, for falling asleep!
Worst Moment Telling my roommates the night before the Reserve Drill SGT's took over for two weeks that if we impress them the first day, we can have it easy for two weeks...then only two weeks to graduation. My mistakes that next day...left my wall locker unsecured ("I know your name PIKE!!!"), no water in my canteens during inspection...THEN having to tell the Drill Sergeant (who also found the first two gigs) that I also didn't have my M-17 Protective Mask for NBC Qualification with the M-16A1 Rifle! The next two weeks were brutal for me, but easy for the rest of the Platoon!
Other Memories Prior to the Brigade Command Inspection, it was drilled into our heads that the maximum effective range of an M-16A1 Rifle was 460 Meters. So, during the inspection, LTC Sumner asked me, "What is the maximum effective range of the M-17?"...And I proudly shouted out: "460 Meters, Sir!"
He turned to me and said, "You can throw an M-17 Protective Mask 460 Meters? You must have one hell of an arm!" (snickering, snorts and funny-coughs were heard in the background)...
This earned me the nickname "M-17 Man" from a fellow Soldier!