I was assigned to the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Stewart, Georgia. This unit had the distinction as one of the Army's premier Heavy Rapid Deployment Force. My unit was 4-64 Armor, Tusker Battalion. The first two years I served as a Tank Platoon Leader in 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, 4-64 Armor. I was promoted January, 1994 to First Lieutenant and assigned as Executive Officer of Delta Company, 4-64 Armor.

Lost while riding my tank at the Army's National Training Center

Why Tanks?
Ever since I was a little kid, I have always been fascinated with the military, especially tanks. I read everything I could get my hands on, and by age 12 I had memorized George C. Scott's famous speech in the movie Patton, one of the best Tank movies ever made! In high school I gave reports on German Panzers and Soviet T-34s. When I entered college, I actually enrolled in Veterinary medicine (I happen to be a cat lover too). Army ROTC looked exciting, so I decided to give that a try. Well, I quickly fell in love with physical challenge and great toys! During the four years of Army ROTC, I also served as a private in the Infantry National Guard, where I attended Basic, Advance Infantry Training, and Air Assault school. In 1992 I was commissioned as an Armor officer and served with the 24th Infantry Division, at that time the only Heavy Armor Rapid Deployment Force.

There are currently 10 active divisions in the United States Army. The 24th Infantry Division (renamed the 3rd Infantry Division) was at that time the only Rapid Deployment Division in the Army (and in the world) at that could rapidly deploy Heavy Main Battle Tanks. The ability to rapidly deploy (within 18 hours) a Troop of seventy ton tanks requires massive logistics and training. Following Desert Storm, the 24th help pioneer the Army's doctrine of rapid deployment of the Main Battle Tank (designated M1A1).

My first two years.
I was a platoon leader my first two years. I hated being a platoon leader, you have no idea what you are doing, and no one listens to you (because you don't know what you are doing). By the time you figure out what your job is, they promote you! A platoon leader is overall responsible for his platoon, a unit of 15 men and 4 tanks. The platoon is the basic combat unit for tanks. My duties included the maintenance of the four tanks, the welfare and training of my soldiers, and various additional duties.

My last two years.
When I made 1st Lieutenant in Jan, 1994, I had the fortune of working with one of the best commanders in the United States Army, Dennoris Watson. He taught me how to be a commander and care for your troops. He was also a brilliant tactician. Working with us was one of the best NCO's I have ever met, Dawson P. Justice. This man defined the word discipline. All I had to do was take top out once a week for a steak dinner, and he made sure I had the best unit in the Army. My job title was executive officer of a tank company, a unit of 3 tank platoons and one headquarters platoon, totaling 65 men and 14 Main Battle Tanks, valued at over $35 million dollars. As second in command, my priority was unit logistics and maintenance of all equipment.