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C/44 EN Former 1SG's Biography

John William Etter Jr.1SG John William Etter Jr. was born June 9th, 1964 in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He graduated Ft. Smith Southside High School in 1983 and the University of Arkansas in 1987, enlisted in the Army Reserves as a Combat Engineer in March 1986, and graduated Basic Training in 1986 and AIT in 1987 at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. In October 1988, he reenlisted in the regular Army, and his first duty assignment was with B Company, 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, Ft. Riley, Kansas. His positions held included commander's driver, operations NCO and Team Leader, with a wartime deployment of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Strike. In September 1991, his second duty assignment was with the 307th Engineer Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. His positions held were the S-4 NCOIC, and Squad Leader in B Company. In December 1994, his third duty assignment was as an instructor for the Sapper Leader Course, FLW, Mo. In October 1996, his forth duty assignment was with the Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta, Ft. Bragg, N.C. His duty position was Special Forces Demolitions Sergeant. In October 1999, his fifth duty assignment was with C Co, 307th En Bn, 82nd ABN DIV, as a Platoon Sergeant and as the 82nd Airborne Assistant Division Engineer. In June 2001, sixth duty assignment with the 2/39th Infantry Battalion, Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. His positions held were Senior Drill Sergeant for A Company and S-3 NCOIC. In May 2003, his seventh duty assignment with C Co, 44th En Bn, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Howze, Korea as the First Sergeant, with a wartime deployment of Operation Desert Strike, currently stationed at Camp Habbaniyah, Iraq in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Military schools and education include Basic Training and Combat Engineer AIT, PLDC, BNCOC, and ANCOC. Skills schools include Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course, Basic Airborne School, Ranger School, Jumpmaster School, Jungle Warfare Course, Equal Opportunities Course, Foreign Weapons Course, Sapper Leader Course, Instructor/Writer Course, Air Assault School, Mountain Warfare School (Summer and Winter), Pathfinder School, SERE School, Diplomatic Hostage Course, and the US Army Drill Sergeant School.

Awards and Decorations include the Unit Valorous Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4), Army Commendation Medal (3), Army Achievement Medal (6), Good Conduct Medal (5), National Defense Service Ribbon (2), NCO Development Ribbon (3), Army Service Ribbon, Southwest Asia Medal, Liberation of Kuwait Medal, Defense of Saudi Arabia Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, National Defense Expeditionary Medal, Ranger Tab, Sapper Tab, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, and the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia for former Wartime Service (First Infantry Division, Second Infantry Division).

Mother Janice, Father John Sr., and sister Marcie all live in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Wife Lori, daughter Hallie, and family pets "Dutchess" (German Shepherd) and "Buster" (Cocker Spaniel) all live in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and patiently await their master's return.