Photo In Uniform |
Service Details |
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Current Service Status
USA Retired
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Current/Last Rank
First Sergeant
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Current/Last Service Branch
Armor
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Current/Last Primary MOS
19Z50-Armor Senior Sergeant
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Current/Last MOS Group
Armor
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Primary Unit
1988-1988, 19Z50, HHC, 3rd Battalion, 77th Armor
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Previously Held MOS
19E-M48-M60 Armor Crewman
11E10-Armor Crewman
19D10-Cavalry Scout
16C-Hercules Fire Control Crewmember
19D20-Cavalry Scout
12C-Cavalry Officer
00R-Recruiter
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Service Years
1967 - 1988
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Official/Unofficial US Army Certificates
Cold War Certificate
Order of the Spur
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2006, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Association
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2008, Wounded Warrior Project2
- Assoc. Page
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2008, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Barstow Chapter (Member)
- Chap. Page
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2008, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW)
- Assoc. Page
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2013, Military Order of the Purple Heart
- Assoc. Page
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2013, American Legion, Post 82 (Member) (Auburn, Washington)
- Chap. Page
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2013, National Rifle Association (NRA)
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2198, 25th Infantry Division Association
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What are you doing now:
Invested 28 years with the Boeing Company, worked as manager Commercial Airplane Group. My group approved and changes to production and out of production Aircraft representing the Fabrication Division. I work mainly in Renton WA (home of the 737 and former home to the 757). Moved on to support the design and project supporting the 767 Tanker program as Fab Div product review manager. Before I retired I left management and went into Supply Chain Mgt and a Lead for the 737 Change board. We worked with suppliers and design team to ensure parts were delivered at the right time to support the 737 Max and recently purchased planes. We also had to support the flight who flew Boeing planes daily throughout the world. Retired in 2016â?¦.
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Other Comments:
Married to the former Alice (Allie) Hatch for almost the past 36 years. I have 5 kids and 9 grandkids. Living up here in the Northwest...Sshe works for Dell here at home
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1967-1968, 19E, US Army Armor Center and School (Cadre) Fort Knox, KY
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1967-1968, 11E10, HHC, 2nd Battalion, 37th Armor
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1967-1968, 19E, US Army Armor Center and School (Cadre) Fort Knox, KY
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1967-1988, 19D10, 25th Infantry Division (Tropic Lightning)
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1968-1969, 16C, Army Air Defense Command (ARADCOM)
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1969-1970, 19D20, HHT, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry
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1970-1971, 12C, HHC, 1st Battalion, 161st Infantry
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1971-1972, 12C, 2nd Battalion, 160th Infantry
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1971-1973, 11E10, HHC, 2nd Battalion, 63rd Armor
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1972-1973, 19E, HHC, 1st Infantry Division (Forward)
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1973-1982, 00R, US Army Recruiting Command (USAREC)
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1973-1985, 00R, US Army Recruiting Command (USAREC)
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1985-1988, 19Z50, 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor
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1986-1987, 19Z50, HHC, 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor
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1988-1988, 19Z50, HHC, 3rd Battalion, 77th Armor
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2006, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Association
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2008, Wounded Warrior Project2
- Assoc. Page
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2008, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Barstow Chapter (Member)
- Chap. Page
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2008, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW)
- Assoc. Page
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2013, Military Order of the Purple Heart
- Assoc. Page
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2013, American Legion, Post 82 (Member) (Auburn, Washington)
- Chap. Page
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2013, National Rifle Association (NRA)
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2198, 25th Infantry Division Association
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Reflections on 1SG Dotson's
US Army Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
I was born on an Army base (Fort McPherson, GA) as my father was a career soldier. I had always assumed the military would be my destiny. I was a member of the California Cadet Corps up until Dad was transferred to FT Lewis Washington and they didn't have a JROTC unit. RVN just got going when I was a senior and the 9th Inf Division was preparing to ship out so I kind of knew I would get drafted or have to enlist. My dad said he wouldn't fight a third war so he retired. I looked around and the Navy didn't seem to care to talk with us due to the traffic because of the draft. So I went down and talked with my local recruiter. I actually worked for him as a Recuirter some 6 years later...so I guess it was just what I was supposed to do.
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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 didn't do well during basic training, wasn't in shape and assumed the Army was easier than I saw it. I guess since I viewed it through my father's service but wow I was mistaken. The DI's kept telling us we were being hardened for combat because many of us | |
would go directly to Infantry training and RVN. I had a contract for Armor School but wasn't sure what was in store after that. I wasn't sure if I wanted a career or if the Army wanted me to be truthful. I went off to Ft Knox and my wife joined me while I attended ArmorCrew men AIT and was a Class leader due to my experience. After I was assigned to the 194th Armored BDE that supported the Armor school. I was assigned to the 47 Armor BN. I was now nervous about an assignment after the baby came due to RVN was getting pretty hot and heavy and Tanks didn't do really well as we were told. I smooth talking Carrer Counselor talked me into extending my enlistment so I could take my family to Nike Missile duty in Los Angles Cal. That seemed better than going over to Nam as a new father of one child and a second on the way.
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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 at Ft Knox, Doc Martin Luther King was shot and killed and there were riots in most major cities. All permanent party troops went on riot control duty with the 82nd AB. We were to be inserted into the streets of Washington DC and stayed at Ft Mead MA. It was scary times to be sure. When we returned I went to Ft Bliss to study as a Radar control operator for Nike Site.
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