FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- With a combined 387 years of service, 14 Soldiers and two civilians retired during Fort Rucker's quarterly retirement ceremony Jan. 20 at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum.
Col. Steven L. Nicolucci, chief of staff for the deputy commanding general -- National Guard and senior Guard adviser, hosted the ceremony. He was assisted by Sgt. Maj. Jorge Rodriguez, senior enlisted adviser for the deputy commanding general, Army National Guard.
A short write-up on each retiree follows.
COL. ELIZABETH MEDINA
Medina, deputy commander of the 350th Civil Affairs Command, Pensacola, Florida, entered military service in 1984 as a combat medic. In 1987, she was commissioned from ROTC at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point into the military intelligence corps. She said the highlight of her career was contributing to the strategic documents and working with an immensely high-performing team in the Pentagon. She and her husband, retired Master Sgt. Nicholas Medina Jr., have four children and three grandchildren. They plan to reside in Freeport, Florida.
LT. COL. JOSEPH HARVEY
Harvey, director of Research, Statistics and Analysis with the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center, entered military service in 1983 as a topographic surveyor. In 1988, he was commissioned from ROTC at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. He said the highlight of his career was teaching and mentoring over 150 cadets, and transforming them from college students into Army officers. He and his wife, Kathleen, have two children. They plan to reside in Enterprise.
CW4 DANA BREWER
Brewer, 1st Battalion, 223rd Aviation Regiment safety officer, entered military service in 1992 as an avionics mechanic. He graduated Warrant Officer Candidate School in 1997. He said the highlight of his career was flying the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior in direct support of ground commanders during combat operations. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two children. They plan to reside in Enterprise.
CW4 ANDREW DRUILHET
Druilhet, F Company, 1-212th Avn. Regt. UH-60 Mike Aircraft Qualification Course section leader and master resiliency trainer, entered military service in 1996 as a Black Hawk mechanic. In 1999, he was selected for warrant officer flight training. He said the highlight of his career was being awarded the Australian Gold Commendation Medal for his crew's actions on a medical evacuation mission in Afghanistan. He and his wife, Kimberly, have two children. They plan to reside in Enterprise.
CW3 MICHAEL "DEVLAN" MCDANIELS
McDaniels, student management officer in charge for the 1-145th Avn. Regt., entered military service in 1996 as an Aviation operations specialist. In 2002, he was selected for warrant officer flight training. He said the highlight of his career was being a maintenance test pilot. He plans to travel before settling down on a beach.
CW3 FREDERICK BATTENBERG
Battenberg, UH-60 instructor pilot with the 1-212th Avn. Regt., entered military service in 1996 as a military policeman. In 2000, he was selected to attend Army Special Forces training and, after seven years as a weapons sergeant, he was selected for warrant officer flight training. He said the highlights of his career were the support he received from his wife and children, and their sacrifice to this country during America's most tumultuous times. He and his wife, Margo, have two children. They plan to reside in Enterprise.
CW3 KEVIN NOLAN
Nolan, platoon leader and instructor pilot with C Co., 1-212th Avn. Regt., entered military service in 1996 as a petroleum supply specialist. In 2005, he was selected for warrant officer flight training. He said the highlight of his career was being deployed as an assault pilot with the 2nd Battalion, 82nd Aviation Brigade's Cavemen that conducted over 115 air assaults in Afghanistan. He and his wife, Kristy, have two children. They plan to reside in Enterprise.
CW3 CRAIG HARMON
Harmon, standardization pilot with the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence G3, entered military service in 1997 as an infantryman. In 2006, he was selected for warrant officer flight training. He said the highlight of his career was graduating Ranger school. He and his wife, Melissa, have two children. Harmon said he will continue to serve his country as a pilot with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
CW3 RANDALL L. ATKINSON JR.
Atkinson, doctrine writer and instructor with the USAACE Directorate of Training and Doctrine, entered military service in 2000 as an infantryman. In 2002, he was selected for warrant officer flight training. He said the highlight of his career was providing air support for his former infantry company in Iraq. He and his wife, Nicole, have two children. They plan to reside in Dallas, Texas.
CW2 KELVIN GRAHAM
Graham, accountable officer for the 3rd Sustainment Brigade Multi-Class Warehouse, Fort Stewart, Georgia, entered military service in 1996 as an automated logistical specialist. He said the highlights of his career were being selected as a warrant officer and his first joint assignment in Izmir, Turkey. He and his wife, Christina, have three sons and two daughters. They plan to reside in Dothan.
MASTER SGT. LYNN ROCHELLE ROBERTS
Roberts, senior enlisted strength manager, Fort Rucker G1, entered military service in 1989 as a human resources specialist. She said the highlights of her career were being able to provide for her family, travel and meet her great circle of friends. She plans to reside in Tyrone, Georgia.
SGT. 1ST CLASS CRYSTAL D. SINGER
Singer, NCO in charge of the patient administrative department at Fort Polk, Louisiana, entered military service in 1997 as a patient administration specialist and later served as a recruiter. She said the highlights of her career were serving as a recruiter because it gave her an opportunity to make a difference, and watching her son win the Military Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year Award. She said her future plans are uncertain, but she said she plans to serve the military, veterans and their families.
STAFF SGT. SHANNON S. DAVIS
Davis, assistant battalion operations NCOIC, 1-212th Avn. Regt., entered military service in 1987 as a combat engineer. After a nine-year break in service, he re-entered the Army as an Aviation operations specialist. He said the highlight of his career was marrying his beautiful wife, Michelle, and having three wonderful children. They plan to reside in northern Alabama.
STAFF SGT. JOSHUA HOPSON
Hopson, 1st Aviation Brigade flight records manager, entered military service in 1996 as an Aviation operations specialist. He said the highlight of his career was marrying his beautiful wife, Selena, and having two wonderful children. They plan to reside in the Fort Rucker area.
BRETT SMITH
Smith, senior training specialist with the 110th Avn. Bde., served on active duty from 1974-80 and 1984-2004. After retiring from active duty, he entered civil service. He said the highlights of his career were being able to serve his country by supporting the training of the world's finest rotary wing combat Aviators and the camaraderie he enjoyed with so many professional personnel throughout the years. He and his wife (name not given) have three children and two grandchildren. They plan to reside in Daleville and travel the country in a recreational vehicle.
DAVID GAUSE
Gause, assistant fire chief with the Fort Rucker Fire Department, served on active duty from 1984-88. After leaving active duty, he entered civil service with the Fort Rucker Fire Department. He said the highlights of his career were serving the installation and working with many wonderful people throughout the years. He and his wife, Sara, plan to reside in Enterprise.
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