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 Retired
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Current/Last Rank
First Sergeant
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Current/Last Service Branch
Transportation Corps
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Current/Last Primary MOS
88Z-Transportation Senior Sergeant
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Current/Last MOS Group
Transportation
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Primary Unit
1985-1992, 88Z, 3rd Corps Support Command (COSCOM)
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Previously Held MOS
11B10-Infantryman
64C10-Motor Transport Operator
11B40-Infantryman
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Service Years
1972 - 1992
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Other Languages
German
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Official/Unofficial US Army Certificates
Certificate Of Achievement
Certificate Of Appreciation
Cold War Certificate
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What are you doing now:
Living life large.
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Other Comments:
Unit:3rd Corp Support Command
Rank:First Sergeant
RankInsignia: E-8
MOS:88Z-Transportation Senior Sergeant
Years:1985 - 1992
Country:Germany, West
Location:Wiesbaden Air Base, Germany
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1973-1975, 11B10, HHC, 6th Battalion, 32nd Armor
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1975-1977, 64C10, 497th Transportation Company
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1977-1980, 64C10, A Company, 94th Engineer Battalion
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1980-1981, 64C10, 513th Transportation Company
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1981-1983, 11B40, B Company, 6th Battalion, 3rd BCT Brigade (Cadre) Ft. Dix, NJ
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1983-1983, 11B40, HHC, 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry
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1983-1985, 11B40, I Corps NCO Academy (Cadre) Fort Lewis, WA
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1985-1992, 88Z, 3rd Corps Support Command (COSCOM)
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Reflections on 1SG Boynton's
US Army Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
My father influenced me. He served and fought in WWII and Korea. He was an infantryman who earned a purple heart in WWII, serving with Patton's 3rd Army. In Korea, he earned a Bronze Star with V-Device for the amphibious landing at Iwon, and the Offensive to Hesengjin. I always remember him wearing his Dress Blues with all his medals. Unfortunately, while serving in Korea in 1964, while TDY as part of the Mobile Training Team to the Republic of China, my father suffered a major heart attack and was sent to Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver to recover. During his time there, he was allowed to come home on weekends. On his birthday July 11, 1965 while at home, he suffered another heart attack. By the time the ambulance arrived at Ft. Carson Medical Center, my father was pronounced dead. I was 10 years old at the time. I knew from the time I can remember that I was going to be a soldier like my dad. My family has a history of it's men having served in every war this country has fought in, including the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. My father instilled a sense of service to this country that lives in me still.
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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 made it a career. I joined at 17, right out of High School, and started out as an infantry man like my father. I served in that roll for almost 10 years. I decided I didn't want to jump anymore, so I transferred over to Transportation, but didn't serve right away. I had volunteered to become a Drill Sergeant and was accepted. I spent just two months short of 3 years on the trail. I had been picked up for my NCO Advanced Course and spent the last couple months on the Trail as a student in Fort Eustis. After another stint as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant with the 4/23 Inf Rgt at Ft. Lewis, I moved to the NCO Academy where I was a Senior Instructor for the newly designed PLDC course. And then I was assigned to 3rd COSCOM, at Weisbaden Air Base, Germany. I pinned on E8 and served my 1st SGT time at HHC 3rd COSCOM where I had done a consecutive overseas tour. I had come out on the SGM Academy list when Desert Shield/Storm happened, and after I returned to Germany at the end of the war, I had served in that command for 7 1/2 years, and had received orders assigning me back into the Airborne, (I had quit jumping 10 years prior, and I couldn't see doing it again) I had served 20 years and was turning 38 years old and decided that I would retire at 38 and pursue my civilian career.
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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?
I served in Vietnam where I was wounded early on. I went on to deploy to Operation Urgent Fury and finally to Desert Shield/Storm.
I was involved in two operations where I earned the Humanitarian Medal. I was most proud of the role I played in camp security for Operation Baby Lift in 1975, and I was the field 1st Sgt in charge of the makeshift body collection point during the 1980 Mount St. Helens' Volcano Relief.
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DID YOU ENCOUNTER ANY SITUATION DURING YOUR MILITARY SERVICE WHEN YOU BELIEVED THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY YOU MIGHT NOT SURVIVE? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME.
No. I was scared many times, but I always thought I'd make it through.
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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?
My fondest memory was my final duty station as 1st Sgt of HHC 3rd Corps Support Command (COSCOM) in Wiesbaden, Germany. I spent my final 7 years at Wiesbaden Air Base.
My worst duty assignment was Ft. Dix, NJ. The duty was awesome, (I did my trail time there), but the post was the worst in the world. It was on the list for closure, so no funds were going into it for upkeep and maintenance. Cockroaches and bugs were the norm. Housing was so pitiful that it a challenge every day just to survive.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The unique bond between men who have served together. Nothing in the civilian life can compare to it.
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
Well as far as badges go, I'd have to say my Drill Sgt badge means a lot, but the toughest badge I ever earned was my parachute wings. I'm afraid of heights and volunteering for jump school was the most difficult challenge I'd ever faced. I"m almost 64 and I'm still afraid of heights. Even after jumping after 10 years, I was unable to overcome my fear of heights.
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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?
My very first platoon sergeant (SSG Rick Weber) at Ft. Carson was the ultimate professional.
CSM Brown - Served with him in my last assignment. Was extremely proficient in navigating through all the red tape and getting things done for NCO's.
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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?
Popping CS Gas canisters on the interstate in Ft. Carson, Colorado and shutting the interstate down for about an hour.
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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?
I liked the regimental structure in the military. I still approach thing like that. I'm very structured and have my goals outlined and do not allow outside influences to get me off track from those goals.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
Be the best. Don't settle for less.
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