Sergeant First Class (SFC) Duane E. Whitaker enlisted in the Army in June of 1984 and attended Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.  He moved to Fort Gordon, Georgia for Advanced Individual Training and later reclassified to a Food Service Specialist in 1988.

      SFC Whitaker has served in several duty and leadership positions from Platoon Sergeant to Dining Facility Manager in his career field over the last twenty years.  He has served in the 9^th Infantry Division, 3^rd Armored Division, 3/47 Infantry, 1/509^th Infantry (OPFOR), 1/508 ABCT, 5^th Special Forces Group, and the 82^nd Airborne Division.

      He served tow overseas tours (Friedberg, Germany and Vicenza, Italy) and three combat tours (Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom).

      His military education includes:  Primary Leadership and Development Course (Warrior Leader’s Course), Basic Noncommissioned Officer’s Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer’s Course, Airborne School, and Air Assault School.

      SFC Whitaker’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal w/2 OLC, the Army Commendation Medal w/2 OLC, the Army Achievement Medal w/4 OLC, Good Conduct Medal 6^th Award, the National Defense Service Medal w/2 OLC, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Southwest Asia Service Medal w/2 OLC.