Transportation |
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TWS Ribbon Bar |
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Photo In Uniform |
Service Details |
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Current Service Status
USA Veteran
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Current/Last Rank
Sergeant
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Current/Last Service Branch
Transportation Corps
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Current/Last Primary MOS
88M20-Motor Transport Operator
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Current/Last MOS Group
Transportation
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Primary Unit
2005-2006, 88M20, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment
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Previously Held MOS
88M10-Motor Transport Operator
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Service Years
1997 - 2006
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Official/Unofficial US Army Certificates
1st Infantry Division Certificate
Army Wheel Vehicle Driver Certificate
Certificate Of Achievement
Certificate Of Appreciation
Operation Iraqi Freedom
US Army Disabled Veteran Certificate
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1997-1998, 88M10, B Company, 801st Main Support Battalion
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1997-2001, 88M10, B Company, 801st Main Support Battalion
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1998-1999, 88M10, B Company, 801st Main Support Battalion
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1998-1999, 88M20, B Company, 801st Main Support Battalion
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1999-2001, 88M20, B Company, 801st Main Support Battalion
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2001-2001, 88M10, HHC, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment
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2001-2003, 88M10, B Company, 701st Main Support Battalion
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2001-2005, 88M10, B Company, 701st Main Support Battalion
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2002-2003, 88M10, HHC, 201st Forward Support Battalion
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2003-2005, 88M20, B Company, 701st Main Support Battalion
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2005-2005, 88M20, HHC, 526th Forward Support Battalion
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2005-2006, 88M20, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment
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2005-2006, 88M20, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment
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2004, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), Post 5539, Alan Jones Post (National President) (Harvard, Nebraska)
- Chap. Page
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2004, National Rifle Association (NRA)
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2004, United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
- Assoc. Page
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2007, Wounded Warrior Project2
- Assoc. Page
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2010, Student Veterans of America (SVA)
- Assoc. Page
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2011, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA)
- Assoc. Page
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2014, Team Red, White, and Blue (Team RWB)
- Assoc. Page
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2016, Army Together We Served
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2016, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Post #9 (Life Member) (Hastings, Nebraska)
- Chap. Page
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2018, American Legion
- Assoc. Page
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2018, Transportation Corps Regimental Association
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2023, Association of United States Army (AUSA)
- Assoc. Page
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- Andersen, Nels, SN, (1962-1963)
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- Cox, Jack, MSgt, (1951-1973)
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- Dillman, Donald, 1SG, (1972-1996)
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- Helwick, Rachel, SPC, (2001-2005)
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- Herrington, Rick, Cpl, (1976-1981)
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Reflections on SGT Dillman's
US Army Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
I am not sure if this has anything to do with it, but I am a fourth-generation combat veteran. Where I grew up, there weren't many jobs around, and, to be honest, a recruiter called me during my senior year of high school and asked me what my plans were after high school. I said gee, I don't know. Then his next question was, what do you think about the Army? I said well, I guess so. It was that easy.
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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 entered the Army as a Private E-1. Boy, was that silly. I never fast-tracked but was always ahead of my peers. I served just under ten years. I made sergeant E-5, and I was okay with that. My father was a retired first sergeant. After two years in Iraq, I was stopped and had just started a family; when I got back needed to be with them.
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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?
Operation Iraqi Freedom 2004, my wife and I served on the tour. I was a truck driver (HET) that hauled tanks to the front line. I experienced IEDs, ambush firefights, and mortars. I was also the driver in the machine gunner m249 and m2 50cal. Security gun truck.
Operation Iraqi Freedom 2006, I was a truck driver in the security gun truck and got to experience IEDs and mortars hitting the dining facility while we were inside. I got to be the NCOIC of the soldier who ran PX (AAFES) while in a theater. I lost a friend who was captured, beheaded, and burnt. There is a book written about this tour. "Black Hearts" is the title.
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OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
I pretty much enjoyed my whole tenure.
1st duty station I was 18 - 21. taught me how to be on my own. 2nd duty station, I was 21 - 25. taught me the difference between leadership/friendship. 3rd duty station, I was 25 - 27. taught me how to be a leader and trainer.
I was a team player and enjoyed my time.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
I met my wife while I was in the service. That was a significant impact on me. Together, we have two boys. That's the positive side.
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
My very first Army Achievement Medal. I was a PFC holding an SFC spot during a 30-day field training exercise. After the FTX, my Captain put me in for the award, and it was awesome to receive that from him.
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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?
If not my (CAB) Combat Action Badge, it would be a plaque & coffee mug a Sergeant First Class gave me when I was scheduled to leave his section.
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WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
SFC Paul D. Bain, truck master, looked out after me as if I was his own son.
SGT Kevin Juengst, we were in our first firefight together and looked out after me like a brother.
CPT William Cain, I was on his 5k and 10k running team.
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LIST THE NAMES OF OLD FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH, AT WHICH LOCATIONS, AND RECOUNT WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THEM. INDICATE THOSE YOU ARE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH AND THOSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH.
B Co 801st, Fort Campbell, KY 1997 - 2001 Matt Vest Ernest McFarland James Greathouse Bob Terrell
B Co 701st, Kitzingen, Germany 2001 - 2005 Kevin Juengst
E Co 1/502nd Inf, Fort Campbell, KY 2005 - 2006 Mike Collins Nick Emmons Dave Roberts Nick Horton
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CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
While driving a military tractor-trailer in Germany during freezing rain. I was driving onto a bridge and went on black ice. I jackknifed, and my passenger front end and tire busted through the guard rail and was hanging over the bridge. We got out and looked at the damage. It was driveable, and we were able to back out. The best thing the Sergeant had me do was to keep driving. How else would you get through it? Like in baseball, when a pitcher gets behind on the count, the coach keeps him in to get out of the inning.
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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?
I have only worked two jobs my entire life.
Army - truck driver.
Remington Seeds - seed (corn) specialist (agriculture).
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WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
VFW - past Quartermaster, Life member. DAV - Life member.
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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?
It's made me stronger when facing challenges and keeping my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
That's really hard if they have a family. If you are single, you will have the time of your life. Find ways to enjoy your free time other than the parties and the drinking that will just lead you down a spiraling road that is no good. Do your best to keep clean and out of trouble. Know your unit's history and be proud of it.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
| TWS and the US Army |
Just able to put them down on paper and see them. They have always been at the forefront of my mind, but now I can release that. KC 10.18.23
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