CVMA®  TN 18-1

I joined the army while in high school in 1997 and served until 2013. During my enlistment, I had one deployment to Kosovo in 2000, two separate tours to Korea in 2004 and 2008 and spent a combat tour in Iraq with 1st Cavalry Division. My proudest moments sprinkled in between those tours were spent at Ft. Polk, Louisiana as a member of the 1st Battalion (ABN), 509th Infantry Regiment as part of the elite OPFOR, also known as the “Most Hated Unit in the Army”. The 509 has a storied history as having participated in all five combat jumps of World War II. 

 

I joined the CVMA in 2015 and was proud to become a life member in 2022. I have been married to Michelle “Short Stax“ Hadley for the past 23 years where we share our love of animals, raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and serving the Veteran community. I hold a life membership in the National Infantry Association, DAV and regular memberships in the American Legion and VFW. 

Joined the US Army in 2000 as a 35E Radio and Communication Security Technician. First duty station was to 16th Signal Battalion in Ft. Hood, TX. 

In 2003 we deployed to Iraq with 4th ID and occupied Aramadi Palace. During this time conducted multiple offsite repairs traveling all over Iraq. Returned stateside in late 2004 where we went straight back to the field to prepare for our next deployment.

In 2005 we deployed again to Iraq this time with 3rd ACR. During this tour spent many months at different locations ending in Mosul where the rest of the campaign was conducted. During the deployment with 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment was award the Order of the Spurs and presented a Stetson and Spur.

Returned home in 2006 and decided to leave the Army and took a career as a Electronic Tech for Diamond Offshore Drilling, as well as joining the Tennessee National Guard in Columbia for 2 years to complete active service time ending military service in 2008.​

United States Marine Corps Active Duty 1984-2014. Retired SgtMaj

4 Combat tours:  Operation Desert Shield/Storm, OIF/OEF x 3

Served as a Combat Engineer, Engineer Equipment Mechanic, Maintenance Chief, Platoon Commander, Marine Recruiter, Marine Security Guard Detachment Commander, Company First Sergeant and Battalion Sergeant Major.

Was the Detachment Commander for the American Embassy in Gaborone, Botswana and Kathmandu, Nepal.

As the Company First Sergeant for E Co, MSG Bn, was Regionally responsible for 15 American Embassies in Western Europe and Scandinavia.

Served within all aspects of the MAGTF

Marine Corps Martial Arts Program 2nd Degree Blackbelt Instructor.

Completed a Bachelor’s degree with honors in Homeland Security and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership while on active duty.

Married to Helen “Hell-yen” Warren for 34 yrs.

After retiring from the Marine Corps, I worked as an Operational Supervisor at the GAP distribution center in Gallatin for 1 yr.  Due to medical/mental issues I had to completely retire.

Life member VFW 1970, Life member American Legion Post 88, Life Member Marine Corps League Det 1491, Life Member DAV Chapter #28,

I joined the CVMA June 4, 2007, at that time there was only TN 18, as our Chapter grew so did the State getting its 2nd Chapter in 2008. I was elected to the position of Chapter Treasurer from 9/14/2008 to 4/4/2010 & Secretary from 9/14/2008 to 2/5/2011.

 

I was appointed to the position of interim Chapter Commander in August of 2010 and was elected to Chapter Commander 2/5/2011.

 

I ended my tour of being Chapter Commander on 1/19/2015.  I have also served as the Chapter Road Captain from 5/10/2019 to 9/18/23. During my tours of CC, I worked on creating/updating our Chapter Bylaws, reinstating our 501c-19 status, and getting the Chapter Incorporated. I organized and ran our first official ride “Purple Heart Homes” which became the “John Cochise Bosch Memorial Ride” and ultimately into the “Fallen Brothers Memorial Ride”. I worked with the Alvin C. York VA to adopt Ward 8A, where we held monthly visits and annual Christmas Parties that lasted until 2019.  I also initiated and organized the Chapter’s first Bike show for the veterans at the VA, which was repeated and grew for many years. On an individual note, I completed the Chapter LRRP program in 2015 & 2016. I had also worked with multiple Chapters nationwide to assist in the operations, logistics, and maintenance of GhostStock, which lasted from 2008 to 2013. I have as an individual Member set up memorable rides to Fall Creek Falls, Rock Island, Space & Rocket Center Huntsville AL, and an annual Polar Bear ride since 2015.  I have always worked to make us stronger by directing our work inward to ourselves. I believe “Vets Helping Vets” is to ride, comfort, uplift, & encourage each other.