Joe had a desire from a very young age to one day serve his country just as his father had done.  His day arrived when he was inducted into the United States Army in Cleveland, Ohio with an MOS of 91X.  His boot camp experience took place at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.  When it was complete he was sent overseas to Giessen, Germany for two years, and then returned stateside to Fort Stewart, Georgia. 

He has actively served for over 30 years.  Joe has accumulated various awards including: the Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Accommodation Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Oversees Medal with numeral 2 device, and the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral 3 device.  His duty has encompassed participation in three military deployments and two major military offensives Operation Phantom Fury Battle of Fallujah, Iraq and Operation Baton Rouge Samarra, Iraq.  As a Sergeant during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, he was awarded the following:  the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Multi-forces Observation Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal Government of Kuwait.  For his tour as a Platoon Sergeant in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Joe was presented with the Bronze Star with Valor, Combat Action Badge, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, and the Southwest Asia Service Medal

Over the course of his military career, Joe has fulfilled numerous education requirements to be promoted of which have comprised: the Professional Leadership Development Course (PLDC), Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape Course (SERE), Total Army Instructor Training Course (TAITC), Small Group Instructor Course (SGIC), Joint Battle Command-Platform (JBC-P), Operator New Equipment Training Course (OPNET), Field Level Maintenance New Equipment Training Course (FLMNET), Advanced Non-commissioned Officer Course (ALC), and the Senior Leadership Course (SLC).

From 2018-2021, Joe served as Master Sergeant and Senior Instructor assigned to the JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle) Training Center at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin.  As the NCOIC, he was in charge of all training and fielding of the Army’s newest Light Tactical Vehicle to replace the HUMVEE. After his tour of duty ended, he transferred and currently supports Headquarters Company 2^nd Psychological Operations Group. 

Joe is a member of VFW Post 3767, and its’ current Commander.  He feels very fortunate to be given this opportunity to share in the camaraderie, as well as, help his fellow veterans and community.