SGT Alan D. Garrison II

Marine Corps | Helicopter Crew Chief, UH-1

Dates of Service: Jun 1994 - Feb 2007

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Bio

I started in the Navy in 1994. I was stationed at San Diego on board the USS Callaghan DDG 994. Got out in 95 on hardship. Couldn't stand being out so I rejoined in the Marine Corps in 96 and was stationed at Camp Pendleton at HMT 303. Truly miss it. Got out due to Clinton downsizing in 01. Came back into the service to deploy to Iraq. I joined the Army and served with the 571st Med CO in Carson I grew up a military brat and went to 18 different schools in 7 different states from kindergarten thru 12th grade. My last year in school I didn't have to be there so I worked in a body shop repairing cars. I joined the Navy in 94 right out of high school. I was married later that year. Then got out in 95 and worked multiple small jobs and decided to go back to the military in 96 when I got tired of dealing with civilians lol. I joined the Marine Corps which I thoroughly enjoyed. I got out in Nov 01 due to Clinton's downsizing. Not long after getting out of the Corps my first son was born. For awhile I worked for Schwan's and later for Waste Management driving a trash truck. After going crazy and knowing Iraq was goin I rejoined in the Army and was sent to Richmond VA for training as a fuel Handler. I requested Fort Carson for a duty station and it wasn't long before we deployed to Iraq. I had another Boy in 04. I deployed in 05 and broke my hand soon after. Not long after I got out of the military under medical discharge (truly not wanting to). From there I went to work for Baker Hughes Baker Atlas as a pipe recovery specialist. After leaving that job due to unfortunate circumstances I drove a truck for Nationwide Horse Transportation hauling horses Cross country. From there I moved to Arkansas and started hauling cars. I traded that in for hauling scrap metal soon after that so I could be home more often. Currently I'm waiting on VA to make their decision as they won't let me return to work. I have been to 49 of 50 states all but Alaska (which I plan to see one day). Also been to several countries. I still currently hold a cdl

Military Experiences

Aug 2002 - Feb 2007

92F Fuel Handler

571st Medevac | Fort Carson

I joined the Army in August of 02 and went straight up for training as a 92F Fuel Handler. I was up there in Richmond VA area for school. I chose Fort Carson as a duty station and wound up with 571st Medical CO AA. I was only there for a few months before we got orders for Iraq. Deployed twice then got out after I shattered my hand and the MEB and other board deemed me not eligible to reenlist or stay further. I fought for a year and a half to stay in.

Jun 1996 - Nov 2001

6174 Huey Cobra Crewchief

HMLAT-303, MAG-39, 3rd MAW, I MEF | Camp Pendleton

Joined the Marine Corps after realizing I hated being a civilian again and didn't want to reenlist with the Navy again. I went in and told them I wanted to fly. Easy enough went to MEPS and off to boot camp in went. I broke my ankle in my final weeks and did my PFT and Final hump on a broken ankle. I wasn't about to roll back 6 plus weeks. After boot camp I went to SOI then off to Pensacola Florida for swim school. Once done with that, I went to Camp Pendleton to start my training for aircraft mechanics and Crewchief school. I was lucky enough to be stationed with a great group and half my class at HMT 303 there on Camp Pendleton flightline. From there Clinton's lovely downsizing ran me out of a job in time of need in Nov of 01. I went into the Army from there to continue to serve.

Jun 1994 - Jun 1995

DCFA

USS CALLAGHAN DDG-994 | San Diego

I joined in June of 94. Went to boot camp in Great Lakes Illinois. Once I left there is went to damage control school in Treasure Island California. From there I was originally going to be stationed in Hawaii aboard the USS Russell DDG 59. Orders were changed and I served as damage control aboard the USS Callaghan DDG 994 til June 95 until I had a family emergency and got out.

Deployments

(1 year, 2 months)

Apr 2005 - May 2005

Operarion Enduring Freedom

The second deployment I deployed after our unit. I got there in April of 05 and left may 05 due to breaking my right hand. I left Al Asad to Baghdad then to Germany. After the finalization that it was broke I was sent stateside. Once back at Fort Carson, I became acting 1stSgt and Commanding officer. I headed up all family issues and anything coming or going from Iraq. Due to being attached to 4/3 ACR I also took care of all incoming soldiers to the units. I also had to liquidate all the assets on the flightline due to impending move to Fort Hood Texas. All the buildings and left over equipment that wasn't in Iraq had to be returned to the base. I tried for a year and a half to stay in VIA MEB and trying to get an MOS change to finish my career.

Feb 2003 - Jan 2004

Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)

I first deployed in Feb 03 to Kuwait. We then convoyed to Tikrit airbase where we set up shop for just a little bit. We had to have EOD check all the areas around the flightline for unexploded ordinances due to the tarmac was to hot to land on without sinking. We were no there long and we packed up and headed south to Al Asad. I then went with two Blackhawks and a HEMMTfueler out to three borders or Camp Korea at the time. We serviced the whole eastern side of Iraq for medivac. While out there I got to do some EOD work and other fun things. I held my HEMMT together with whatever I could find out there. It was sorta the road warrior truck. We did several convoys all over Iraq