Jody Lee Arlen

• Specialty/Rank: SFC/Sergeant First Class; 19D40 Cavalry Scout, 19K40 Armor Crewman
• Served: January 27,1986 to January 26,2007
• Conflict: Support of Iraqi /Freedom, June 2005 – Sept 2006
• Awarded: Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award), Army Good Conduct Medal; Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (6th Award) National Defenses Service Medal (2nd Award), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (2nd Award), Non Commissioned Office Professional Development Ribbon (3rd Award), Armed Service ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal W/M Device, Driver and Mechanic with Driver – Wheeled Vehicle(s) Clasp. Qualified for M-4, M-15, Pistol and Hand Grenade Weaponry.

Son of Gerald J. Arlen.

My military career as an American soldier in the Wisconsin Army National Guard began with enlistment into the 1st Battalion 632 Armor, Wausau, WI a subordinate unit of the 32nd Sep Infantry Brigade (Mech) (Red Arrow) Milwaukee, WI.

Basic training and Advanced Individual Training/One Station Unit Training was completed at the Home of Armor at Fort Knox, KY, September – December 1986. Military occupational specialty awarded was 19E M60A3 armor crewman.

Upon returning to my parent unit I was assigned to CO A, 1632 Armor to train in my designated specialty. All phases of tactical combat training and tank gunnery qualification were conducted. In 1993 the battalion received the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank with train-up at Gowen Field, Idaho and Ft. McCoy, WI. Upon completion of training I was awarded the 129K40 M1 Abrams certification.

During my assignment in Co A there was a major shift in training due to an army driven reorganization whereby the unit was redesignated to serve as a cavalry troop, specifically, Troop E, 105 Cavalry. By vocal order of the Commander, I was assigned a Platoon Leader position and promoted to PSG/Platoon Sergeant, Grade E7 on May 07, 1995 and awarded the 19D40 certification.

My military career was highlighted upon receipt of a Federal Mobilization Order directing selected Wisconsin Army National Guard units to serve in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with duty in Kuwait and Iraq. In May 2005 I was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 127 Infantry Appleton, WI to serve as S5, Civil Affairs NCO during this deployment. Train-up for deployment was conducted at Camp Shelby, Mississippi prior to departure to designated theater on June 2005 to September 2006.

My military career spanned twenty-one years of service while in the Red Arrow Brigade with an honorable discharge.