By Sara Sparling —
”With liberty and justice for all.”
Those words would not be the truth had it not been for those who have served, and continue to serve, our country every day. All of our nation’s active duty, guard, and veterans have made, and continue to make, many sacrifices daily. November 11th marks the annual day where we recognize all the hard work, sacrifice, and dedication our military gives to the United States of America. Miami Regionals would like to extend the utmost gratitude to all who have served and continue to do so. Their dedication to protecting and serving, and their unwavering professionalism, will not go unnoticed or be forgotten. We know that there are many thousands who currently serve, and millions more who have served. Here, we honor them all by spotlighting fifteen service members that submitted responses to a recent questionnaire. We know that they are but representatives of all those who we now pay tribute to this Veterans Day.
Jordan Redd – U.S. Navy
Miami Oxford faculty member
Jordan was recruited out of Harrison, Ohio and served in the U.S. Navy from 2017 to 2022. He chose to serve for numerous reasons: to join a cause that he believed in, to build stronger skills, travel the world, to be a good role model for his younger brothers, to continue a family legacy of service, and to partake of the benefits one has as a part of the military. He was stationed out of Norfolk, Virginia on the USS Gerald R. Ford CVN-78. During his service, he visited a number of destinations, including Halifax, Canada; Portsmouth and London, UK; Palma, Spain; Duqm, Oman; Manama, Bahrain; and Oahu, Hawaii. He completed his training in Great Lakes, Illinois and got to visit Chicago frequently. His primary job was an electrician, where he worked on the new catapult and arresting gear systems that launched and recovered jets off the flight deck. His secondary job was a fireman. Jordan was awarded for actively leading the Catapult Electricians Work Center and helping establish a maintenance program for both systems. He was also awarded for responding to an explosion in one of the machine spaces and repairing the equipment.
Jordan’s active service has ended, but he remains in the reserves until next month. He wanted to get out because he realized how much he missed his brothers and watching them grow up. Eventually, he landed a position at Miami University. He said before the military, he had no direction or ambition. After serving, he realized how valuable his family is, and how quickly he had to mature due to being put directly into a leadership role. He has also discovered a hidden talent and passion for photography. He plans to continue working at Miami Oxford and earn a degree in photography so he can open his own business.
Riley Smith – Air National Guard
Miami Regionals student
Riley enlisted in the Air National Guard in 2024 at the 180th Fighter Wing in Swanton, Ohio after she first enlisted as active duty. She wanted to serve to make her family proud and to set herself up for a successful, debt-free future. She said the military has changed her life in so many ways. She has especially learned patience, since the military always drills the concept of “hurry up and wait.” While serving, she’s met friends from all fifty states and other countries like Japan and Germany. Meeting so many different people has opened her eyes to how truly lucky she is in her position, as she doesn’t take anything for granted and does not judge others for being less fortunate. So far, she has only served in Ohio but looks forward to traveling to other places.
Riley wants everyone to know that while in the military—like many things in life—we get out of it what you put into it. She wanted to fly under the radar and go through basic training and technical school without anyone knowing who she was. However, she later earned a leadership position at both schools and was also recognized at both. She worked hard and was extremely dedicated, even though she never expected anything from her hard work. Currently, she does everything in her power to better herself and her coworkers. Riley is the youngest ranking individual in her squadron. Right now, she attends Miami Regionals and works at Plato’s Closet during the week.
Liv Butz – U.S. Navy
Miami Regionals student
Liv enlisted in the U.S. Navy in April, 2024. She shipped out in August to Chicago, Illinois to Naval Station Great Lakes. She wanted to enlist because she wanted to be the first female in her family to serve. When she enlisted, she wasn’t sure about college and she wanted to eventually become a police officer, so the military was a great stepping stone towards that. Her planned primary job was going to be an Information Systems Technician on a submarine. While she may have only been in the military for a little over four months due to injuries that left her disabled, she is extremely happy with how her experience turned out. She made many friends whom she thinks of as family, and she plans to visit them in the near future. She’s receiving compensation from the VA for her injuries.
Liv was separated from the Navy in December, 2024. Since June, she’s been working for a small appliance repair company. Originally, she wanted to do eight to fifteen years in the Navy and then become a police officer after her first initial contract. Now, she takes college classes at Miami Regionals to earn a degree in criminal justice.
Matt Sparling – U.S. Navy
Father of a Miami Regionals student
Matt enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1994 out of Phoenix, Arizona. Ever since he was a child, he admired the Navy and wanted to serve. He attended RTC Great Lakes in Chicago, Illinois, followed by Avionics Training in Millington, Tennessee, then Tomcat Training at Top Gun in Miramar, San Diego, California. He traveled a great deal throughout his career. Among other locations, he’s visited Honshu, Hokkaido, Pearl Harbor, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Guam Island, Philippines, Iwojima, Okinawa, Australia, Dubai, and the UAE. Most notably, he was stationed in Japan for three and a half years with VF-154, attached to the USS Independence CV-62. He was also attached to the USS Kittyhawk CV-63. While stationed at these locations, he learned many behaviors and positive work attributes, including his ability to push past a perceived limit. His primary job was an Aviation Electronics Technician. His secondary job was Final Checker/Troubleshooter. Matt said service can be a very isolating experience. There is no steady or reliable way to contact people, so whenever possible, it’s extremely important to reach out to those you care about and rely on. In turn, you form closer bonds with the men and women around you and come to depend on them for support. Serving teaches self-reliance, among other lessons.
Matt got out of the Navy in 2002. It wasn’t an easy decision for him to make, but the pros outweighed the potential cons. He wanted to be there to watch his kids grow up and achieve milestones like first steps and first words, and not be an absentee father. He said serving has helped him become a better person, husband, and father. In many ways, he approaches problems from a military perspective and won’t stop until the job is done. Currently, he lives with his wife and two children.
Marcel Hinrichs – U.S. Navy
Uncle of a Miami Regionals student
Marcel enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1992 out of Hamilton, Ohio. He attended Miami Oxford at the time, but saw students around midterms protesting about Desert Shield. He decided it was time to enlist and go serve. He chose the Navy because he believed it had more opportunities than other branches. He served stateside, in the Mediterranean, Persian Gulf, and the Atlantic, attached to the USS Saratoga CV-60, USS George Washington CVN-73, USS John C. Stennis CVN-74, and the USS Enterprise CVN-65. Serving has increased Marcel’s confidence, integrity, and pride. His primary job was an Aircraft Structural Mechanic and his secondary job was Shore Patrol.
He wants everyone to know that serving is rewarding, and will help with self-development, self-control, drive, integrity, situation assessment, and self-accountability; in general, military service tends to bring out the best in someone, especially in trying situations. It makes life after serving easier because life-long skills are permanently engrained. Marcel got out of the Navy in 2000 to raise a family. He served four years in the reserves.
Shawn Ryan – Ohio Army National Guard
Miami Regionals student
Shawn enlisted out of Columbus, Ohio in the Ohio Army National Guard. He chose this route to have both a military and civilian career, and the National Guard will pay for his college. He wanted to continue his family legacy of serving and is the third generation to serve. So far, he’s served around Ohio, including in Columbus and McConnelsville, as well as outside Ohio, at Fort Polk, Fort Irwin, Fort Leonard Wood, and Fort Sam Houston. The military granted Shawn opportunities he wouldn’t have had if he didn’t join the military. His primary job is a Healthcare Specialist/Combat Medic, where he’s been trained as an EMT to deal with gunshot wounds and how to stabilize those with traumatic body injuries. He was given a safety award for coming up with a fun saying, “Stay moist with Hoist,” where he and others were given Hoist, a bitter electrolyte drink. He was making attempts to keep the mood light since the drinks weren’t enjoyable.
Shawn discovered that the military can provide amazing opportunities if one seeks them out. It has given him perspective and practical experience for his education. He knows many that joined for one limited reason, but found themselves with beneficial lifelong skills. Also, the benefits of being in the military are extremely attractive. He can go to college debt free, stay in shape, and he gets paid to travel. He plans to continue serving for at least twenty years to receive long-term benefits and experience.
Morrigan Tamas – U.S. Marine Corps
Miami Regionals student
Morrigan began serving in 2023. She shipped off to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, in South Carolina. She joined the military because they wanted a challenge and felt a responsibility to protect those who are vulnerable. She chose the Marines because it’s a branch that demands someone’s full effort, where they seek to break down recruits and then build them up again, but much stronger. At the time of enlistment, she lacked stability, discipline, and family, but found it in the Marine Corps. Morrigan spent three months on Parris Island during bootcamp. She then was sent to Camp Geiger for combat training, then received orders to Courthouse Bay and Camp Johnson in North Carolina. Her primary job is a rifleman, and her secondary job is an Automotive Maintenance Technician working on diesel vehicles. Morrigan shared the story of the “Crucible,” a fifty-four-hour ritual where Marines earn the title. Over the course of the event, she hiked fifty miles with four hours of sleep and ate two meals. Combat situations were simulated, she climbed through barb wire, ravines, and deep mud pits, and many more excruciating challenges. It was a miserable experience, she said, but it was also the greatest fifty-four hours of her life.
Morrigan is still currently serving as a reservist and plans to re-enlist after her first contract. She started school at Miami Regionals to become a high school English teacher. The Marine Corps has given her confidence to chase her dreams and the will to achieve them. The military has turned her into a more caring, protective, and compassionate person. It has instilled a passion in her to better the lives of others and not take life for granted.
Kaeden Warren – U.S. Air Force
Son of a Miami Regionals staff member
Kaeden joined the U.S. Air Force out of Milford, Ohio in 2023. He wanted to try out a new experience and start a new life. He chose the Air Force because he thought it was best suited for his talents and had a job he was trying to pursue, but unfortunately did not get. He has spent his time at Davis Monthan Duty Station in Tucson, Arizona since March 2024. Kaeden said joining the military changed his life drastically. He considered himself a “rebel” when he was younger, but he’s matured greatly since then. He also has gotten the opportunity to live on his own. His primary duty is an Avionics Maintainer on the C-130J for a rescue squadron. Kaeden shared a story of him and a friend being tasked with guarding the perimeter of a ceremony area and to guide visitors and family members along the correct path to reach the ceremony. On numerous occasions, family members would cross into training grounds territory, which is strictly forbidden for civilians. As this was a direct security concern, they had to run at them and divert them as fast as possible. This experience left an impression on him, since he could tell these civilians were totally startled by the sight of men in uniform sprinting at them to divert their progress.
So far, he has enjoyed his experience. One thing he would like people to know about serving is that servicemen are fighting for the rights of all Americans, and those rights should never be taken for granted. Another thing a lot of people don’t think about is how truly dangerous serving is. Even if conflict isn’t an immediate problem, people are constantly a target, and even basic, everyday jobs in the military can be potentially deadly. To join the military is a big decision and should never be made lightly or casually.
John Williams – U.S. Army
Professor Emeritus, Academic Advisor at Miami Regionals
John was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1969. He completed basic training in Ft. Lewis, Washington and was stationed in Fort Knox, Kentucky. He said his wife was very supportive of his decision to serve. She picked him up from basic training in Washington and they spent the remainder of John’s time in the Army together. Serving was very beneficial for John, as there were very minimal medical expenses for his first child. He also used the GI Bill to finish his Ph.D. so his wife didn’t have to work. His job in the military was a Physical Science Assistant; he did scientific research with a GS-15 and was able to publish two works in his name. John has kept in touch with a couple he met in Fort Knox. Both his wife, and his friend’s wife, shared pregnancies, and they visited each other numerous times in Colorado before John’s wife passed away. John shared that his experience was extremely unique and was a very civilian-like job. He said his basic training felt like summer camp and he was the platoon leader of the honor platoon. The platoon sergeant, who was much older, did not give his platoon trouble like he did with the others. At his duty station, he had occasional kitchen days and evening guard duties, but otherwise he worked a typical 8-5 job.
John’s service ended in 1971. He was part of the big drawdown, where a significant number of troops were let go. Following his service ending, he immediately returned to The Ohio State University where he finished his graduate studies. John said aside from a minor delay in the start of his professional career, there was little impact in his service.
Josh Gilb – Air National Guard
Husband of a Miami Regionals faculty member
Josh enlisted in the Air National Guard in February 2002 following the 9/11 attacks. He chose the Air National Guard because his grandpa served in the Korean War and always talked very highly of the Air Force. His dad had connections in the National Guard and thought it may be a better path than active duty, as he could receive benefits to attend school. Josh has served in the 180th Toledo Air National Guard, Wright-Patterson AFB, 178th Springfield Air National Guard, a tour to Germany, Operation Northern Watch Alaska, and completed training in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He said serving has given him a great deal of experience and numerous opportunities. Because of the military, he met his wife and good friends. Josh started working in the security forces and then after six years, he retrained as a Geospatial Analyst and has been working as a defense contractor for the past fourteen years. He said the comradery from being in the military is unlike anything else. Everyone trusts everyone and when things don’t go right, there is a tremendous support system in place. When his daughter was diagnosed with cancer before she was three, he returned to work a week following her diagnosis. His first sergeant told him to go back to the hospital to be with his wife and daughter.
Josh applied to retire in December after twenty-three years of service. He plans to continue working as a defense contractor and attend classes at Miami Regionals for a certificate in GIS or a physics degree to advance his career further. Serving provided Josh a bigger picture of life and the world around him—much than just his hometown. He saw how having goals and future plans was helpful in times of uncertainty. He gained the confidence to make tough decisions about his life and the path he wanted.
Fitz Gerald Sicat – U.S. Navy
Miami Regionals student
Fitz Gerald enlisted in the U.S. Navy in April 2017 in California. He decided to serve his country to have the honor of “serving the greatest nation in the world,” and to have independence after graduating high school. He chose the Navy to become an aircraft mechanic and travel the world. His primary job was an aircraft mechanic for the F/A-18E fighter jets. He also held a Collateral Duty Inspector (CDI) qualification in two shops. He was also qualified as a plane captain responsible for directing the pilot, ensuring a safe environment during launch and recovery evolutions, and overseeing the whole aircraft. Finally, he held a Power Turn qualification which authorized him to power up the aircraft for maintenance purposes.
Fitz Gerald did say that he had a hard time finding work outside of the military, since all he really knew was how to work on aircraft. He said the feeling of being in the military is something you won’t find anywhere else. He tried working in software development but he was used to working in a hands-on environment and software development wasn’t giving him any tangible results that he could see. After a year and a half, he decided to go back to school and major in cybersecurity and networking. Fitz Gerald said serving made him a better person and he learned to appreciate life and the blessings it can give. It also taught him to focus on what matters most in life like growth, purpose, and the people he loves. He said it was a privilege to serve his country.
Ally Duffy – Ohio Army National Guard
Miami Regionals student and writing tutor
Ally Duffy served in the Ohio Army National Guard, beginning in January 2010. She chose the military to break free from her home life and do things on her own. She chose the Ohio Army National Guard because while she wanted to break free from her family, she was still young and had never ventured out in the way that active duty demanded. By serving in the National Guard, she was able to stay close to home and still have her own independence. She was stationed out of a maintenance unit in Piqua, Ohio. During her twelve years, she was deployed twice: once in 2012 to Afghanistan, and in 2020 to Kuwait. Ally said before joining the military, her world and mind was very small and narrow. Afterwards, the experiences of comradery, fear, and curiosity changed the way she thought. It not only opened doors for her, but it also opened her mind. Her primary job was a wheeled vehicle mechanic. After a couple of years, she had the chance to go to H8, wrecker recovery training. She was then placed on the maintenance recovery team. Ally said she will never regret her decision to join and serve. Even though she joined the military for reasons that were selfish in nature, she stayed because of the family that she became a part of, and the belief in what the military stands and fights for.
Ally’s service ended in January 2022, after twelve years. She had three young children that needed her the most, and she walked away to be a more stable presence for them. It was not an easy decision, but to her, it was the right one. After getting out, she was a stay-at-home mom for a few years, but once they became old enough for school, she enrolled in classes at Miami Regionals. Ally said before serving, she thought of herself as sheltered and uninformed. She lacked self-experience, confidence, and awareness. Through serving, she found herself to be much stronger and more capable than she gave herself credit for. She is humbled and grateful to call herself a veteran.
Vincent Morse – U.S. Marine Corps
Miami Regionals student
Vincent enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2011 in Pensacola, Florida. He wanted to be part of something bigger, be the best, and be pushed to his limits. He has served all over the world, including Parris Island, South Carolina; Quantico, Virginia; England; Australia; Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa. His primary job was a flightline mechanic for the CH-53E, CH-46, and VH-3D helicopters. A fun experience Vincent recalled was getting to tour Jay Leno’s garage while in California. He also got to see Stonehenge while overseas. He still keeps in touch with his roommate that he lived with for a few years, as well as people he met in Florida that were enlisting at the same time he did. Vincent said the Marine Corps has given him friends for life. Even though they may not talk every day, they’re still present in his life and they’re only a phone call away. He currently attends classes at Miami Regionals.
Rosalita Ortiz – Ohio Army National Guard
Miami Regionals student
Rosalita enlisted in the Ohio Army National Guard in 2020. She wanted to serve to expand her future opportunities and be part of something bigger. She chose the National Guard so she could serve while working on her degree. She is currently with the 837th Brigade Engineer Battalion in Springfield, Ohio; she was previously with the 2-107th Cavalry Unit in Hamilton, Ohio. She also completed a yearlong deployment in a combat zone in Syria, where she received her Combat Action Badge. Rosalita has been exposed to a whole new way of life when serving. She got to see a wide range of all that is humanity, and would do it all over again if she could. She gained many once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and a family for life. She is also able to attend school debt-free. Her primary job is a paralegal, providing legal information to soldiers and the command team.
A heartwarming story she shared was about rescuing her cat Dotty in Syria. She was able to get Dotty on a convoy thanks to Paws of War and some friends. She said Dotty is thriving in her new home.
Rosalita has one year left on her contract and is currently unsure of what she wants to do when it comes to an end. When she returned from deployment, she spent time with family and acclimated to life outside of the military, before eventually going to school and working part-time. Sometimes she finds school difficult because she’s not a traditional student living on campus, and is older than most. Her experiences instilled discipline in her and have helped her realize all the opportunities she has, and that it’s never too late to take advantage of them. Rosalita values her family, education, and the citizens of the United States so much more since joining the military, and she has a much more positive outlook and tries to help others have the same.
Casey Sargent – U.S. Marine Corps
Father of several Miami Regionals students and faculty members
Casey enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in June, 1994. He needed a purpose and hadn’t decided on a career path, so he chose to serve in the Marines, whom he called the “best branch.” He served at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Joining the Marine Corps was a profound change that changed him in many ways. He believes he is a completely different person since serving, since he uses the life lessons he learned, and self-discipline, every day. His primary job was an ammunition technician, where he controlled storage and distribution of all ammunition for Camp Lejeune. He said there were numerous eventful and impactful moments, but what made the biggest impact on him while serving was the brotherhood he formed with those he served with.
Casey’s service ended in 1998, as his daughter became ill. He decided not to re-enlist so his family could move back to Ohio to be closer to relatives. He was fortunate to find a job almost immediately after leaving the military and has been in the same career for the last thirty years. Casey is proud to be able to call himself a veteran and a Marine. That is something not everyone is able to do, and it’s something he cherishes.
Note from the editor: As advisor and editor of “The Pulse”—and a proud Army veteran myself and father of one son who served in the Coast Guard and another in the Air Force—I felt it was important to do something a bit special this year for our military members, or those military-affiliated, on this Veterans Day. We know that there are many more of you out there that we did not hear from or get a chance to mention: veterans, current enlisted members, and friends and loved ones of those who served or are serving. We’re sorry that we missed you, and we hope to hear from you next year! And, for those who did respond to our survey and agreed to participate and share their stories, thank you! We honor and are grateful for your service.