Enlisting in the United States Army in Aug 1986 and having served in continuous leadership positions since 1989 until I retired in 1 Oct 2010.  While in the Army, I served in the 82nd Airborne Division as a Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant and as a company First Sergeant.  I have also had assignments in the Republic of South Korea, Schofield Barracks HI, WMA SROTC, Fort Benning GA, Fort Polk La, and Fort Leavenworth KS.  While in the Army I earned my Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist badge, Pathfinder badge, Air Assault badge, Rappel Master, Expert Infantryman’s Badge and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.  I have received many awards to include 3 Bronze Stars, 6 Meritorious Service Medals, 5 Army Commendation Medals, 11 Army Achievement Medals, 3 oversea ribbons, Multinational Observer Forces and various ribbons for Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  I am also a member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club a highly selective leadership club within the United States Army.  I earned an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from Central Texas College while I was on active duty. I have completed my Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Liberty University and my Masters of Education from Fort Hays State University.  Hired as the JROTC Army Instructor for WMA in Aug 2010, after the closing of WMA.  I applied for the position at Truman High School as the JROTC Senior Army Instructor and officially hired 23 July 2017.

-SAI 1SG Timothy Dougherty

SFC(R) Martinez Vandergrift was born on 1 March 1980 in Troy, Alabama. He graduated from Charles Henderson High School in May of 1998 and enlisted in the United States Army in July 1998. He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri. He completed his Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas and earned the military occupational specialty as a Healthcare Specialist/Combat Medic, 68W. His military education includes, Healthcare Specialist course, Air Assault School, Supervisor Development Course, Manager Development Course, Basic Leader Course, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Senior Leader Course, Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officer Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, Military Transition Team Course, Advance Military Transition Team Course, Physical Readiness Training Leader Course, Master Resilience Training Course, Sexual Harassment and Assault Response Prevention Course, Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, Master Fitness Training Course, Master Leader Course, and Joint Medical Executive Healthcare Management Course. SFC Vandergrift earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Management with a certification in Emergency and Disaster Relief Management from Trident University International. He earned his Master’s Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from National University and is a member of the Order of the Sword and Shield Omicron Sigma Sigma National Honor Society.

He served as an ambulance driver/aide, HHC 3/187 th Infantry Regiment (Rakkasan), 101 st ABN DIV (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY. Healthcare NCO, Bravo Company 168 th Medical BN, Yongsan Health Clinic, Yongsan, Korea. Healthcare NCO/Medical Evacuation NCO, Charlie Company 704 th Support Battalion, 4 th ID (M), Fort Hood, TX. Platoon Sergeant, Charlie Company (Student Company), William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Fort Bliss, TX. Medical Advisor (Forward Iraq), Ministry of Health, Patrol Base Minden, Bashara, Iraq. Senior Operations NCO, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Fort Bliss, TX. Medical NCO, Kansas City Military Entrance Processing Station, Kansas City, MO. Medical Evacuation Platoon Sergeant, 514 th Medical Company (Ground Ambulance), Medical Treatment Platoon Sergeant, 547 th Area Support Medical Company, 56 th Multifunctional Medical Brigade, Operations NCO, HHC 62 nd Medical Brigade, JBLM, WA. Healthcare NCO, Surgical Services Line (3SL), Irwin Army Community Hospital, Fort Riley, KS. His last assignment was as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Deputy Commander for Administration, Irwin Army Community Hospital, Fort Riley, KS.

His awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (1OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1SLC, 2OLC), Army Achievement Medal, Presidential Unit Commendation Award, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (8 th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal w/Bronze Service Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/Bronze Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal w/Silver Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 4), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (4 th Award), NATO Medal, Combat Medical Badge and the Air Assault Badge.

He is also a member of the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Association (SAMA), Major General Aubrey (RED) Newman Leadership Award recipient, and he is inducted in the Order of the Medical Military Merit (O2M3).

SFC(R) Vandergrift is married to Carmen Vandergrift, and has two children, Daniel (20), he is currently serving in the United States Air Force and Jaylene (17), she is a senior in high school.