Branch, Years Served, & Job in the Military:
Army, 2006-2012, 19D-Cavalry Scout
Service History:
I served in the United States Army from January 17, 2006, to December 17, 2012, separating at the rank of Specialist (E-4 Promotable) with an Honorable Discharge. I completed One Station Unit Training (OSUT) as a Cavalry Scout (19D) at Fort Knox, Kentucky, followed by additional training at Fort Benning, Georgia. My first duty assignment was with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (3d ACR) at Fort Hood, Texas, where I served from 2006 through mid-2009. I deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving from November 2007 to February 2009 and again from June 2010 to July 2011. Between deployments, I deployed to India in support of Yudh Abhyas 2009, the first joint U.S.–Indian Army field exercise. After re-enlisting during my first tour, I was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, where I served until my separation in December 2012. My awards and decorations include the Combat Action Badge, three Army Commendation Medals, one Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal with bronze two-knot device, the Iraq Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Ribbon with “2” device. I sustained injuries during my second deployment in a vehicle accident involving friendly forces.
Deployments and/or Activations:
November 2007-February 2009: Operation Iraq Freedom (Iraqi Surge & Sovereignty Campaigns), September-October 2009: India, June 2010-July 2011: Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraqi Sovereignty & New Dawn Campaigns)
Favorite Military Memory:
In late 2008, we were operating out of Mosul, Iraq. We had a mission after it poured rain all night when no weather was expected. The normally hard-packed dirt turned into a thick soup everywhere we went. We took out three M3A2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles and two HMMWVs that day—and every vehicle got stuck in the mud. What was supposed to be a four-hour mission turned into well over sixteen. A flash flood even hit in the middle of the desert and swallowed one of our trucks. The crew made it out, and we rescued them using one of the Bradleys. Just as we pulled them off, we started taking incoming fire. My four-wheel drive had broken earlier, and when I stomped the gas, my HMMWV just spun in place. We made it through the firefight and returned safely to base with no injuries or casualties—just broken vehicles and muddy boots. The next day, while fixing my truck, my buddy said, “You’re the first guy I’ve ever met who could pivot steer a HMMWV!” Years later, in 2017, I was best man at his wedding—and that’s the story he told about me. The military builds a camaraderie unmatched anywhere else in the world. It’s something I’ll never forget.
Current Degree Plans & Academic Goals:
I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Coastal and Marine Systems Science at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. Building on my background in Project Management and my Master’s in Emergency Management and Homeland Security, my research focuses on integrating unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and environmental sensors to improve how we monitor air and water quality in coastal and offshore regions—and how that information can support emergency management and homeland security objectives. By developing a lightweight, modular payload capable of detecting multiple carbon-based gases and environmental variables in real time, my goal is to create predictive models that enhance population awareness, hazard assessment, and infrastructure protection. In addition to my academic work, I serve as the Associate Director for Public Operations at the Autonomy Research Institute (ARI), where I oversee applied research, public safety integration, and large-scale demonstrations involving autonomous systems. My academic and professional goals align with ARI’s mission to advance practical, data-driven solutions for real-world operations, bridging the gap between science, technology, and public safety to strengthen national resilience and the evolving field of autonomous systems.