CW 4 Jon C. Eidem

Title: Maintenance Test Pilot

Company:  United States Army
Minnesota Army National Guard

Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
 
 
 
 
 
 

Felix Nevarez Padilla

Title: Food Service Sergeant

Company: U.S. Army Reserve

Location: Santa Ana, CA

 

 

 

Cheryl J. Wilkinson

Title: Founder, CEO, Veteran Consultant

Company: Transitional Assistance

Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu, HI, November 10, 2015, Cheryl Wilkinson, Founder, CEO and Veteran Consultant for Traditional Assistance, has been recognized by Elite American Military for dedication, achievements and leadership in human resources.

Honorably discharged from the U.S. Army after 23 years of service, Ms. Wilkinson established Transitional Assistance after her own experience re-acclimating to civilian life. “I didn’t want to rely on government assistance and I knew other veterans didn’t want to either,” she said of her professional motivation and inspiration. Now in its 7^th year of operation, Transitional Assistance provides programs for mental health and life skills training for those at risk for becoming homeless or unemployed after serving their terms. In short, Ms. Wilkinson aims to empower. She has access to powerful resources aimed at helping issues of disabilities, ADA compliance, sexual assault, domestic violence, housing, mental heath and addiction.

Richard William Jenkins

Title: Sergeant First Class E-7, 25Z Visual Information Chief (Retired)

Company: U.S. Army

Location: Tonawanda, NY

Tonawanda, NY, November 9, 2015, Richard Jenkins, Retired Sergeant First Class E-7 and 25Z Visual Information Chief for the U.S. Army, has been recognized by Elite American Military for dedication, achievements and leadership in military communications.

Having served the US Army for 23 years, Mr. Jenkins experienced feats that many others haven’t in a lifetime; he served in Vietnam between 1967 and 1968 and Korea between 1980 and 1982. Additionally, he is a Cold War veteran who served in Germany, Korea and Panama. Now retired, he continues to serve with many organizations as an educator and mentor for veterans in rehab facilities. Mr. Jenkins is actively involved with the Dallas Safari Club, the Boone and Crockett Club, the Disabled American Veterans organization and The American Legion.

Ernest Laird Hansen

Title: Board Chair (Emeritus)

Company: Verity Credit Union

Location: Kirkland, WA

Kirkland, WA, November 3, 2015, Ernest Laird Hansen, Board Chair Emeritus for Verity Credit Union, has been recognized by Elite American Military for dedication, achievements and leadership in international relations.

Beginning his career in the Air Force, Mr. Hansen worked among the most distinguished military professionals in the country in the Special Ops and Navigation Air Sea Rescue for over 14 years. An expert in international relationships due to his tenure with the military, he then became a commander of an Air Craft Maintenance Squadron, followed by the prestigious position of commander and professor of aerospace studies at The University of Washington, where he supported the development of the Boeing B-2 Bomber.

Edmund L. DuBois, MS

Title: Brigadier General (Retired)

Company: U.S. Army

Location: Sonoma, CA

Sonoma, CA, October 14, 2015, Edmund DuBois, Retired Brigadier General of the U.S. Army, has been recognized by Elite American Military for dedication, achievements and leadership in national defense.

Barbara King

Title: SRM Team Lead

Company: National Guard Bureau

Location: Arlington, VA

Arlington, VA, October 12, 2015, Maj. Barbara S. King, Sustainment, Restoration, Modernization (SRM) Team Lead for the National Guard Bureau, has been recognized by Elite American Military for dedication, achievements and leadership in program analysis.

SMSgt Ronald J. Hagen

Title: Flight Superintendent (Retired)

Company: United States Air Force

Location: Gulfport, MS

Gulfport, Mississippi,  October 7, 2015, Senior Master Sergeant Ronald J. Hagen, retired flight superintendent with the United States Air Force, has been recognized by Elite American Military for his dedication, determination and leadership in all aspects of military service.

Jim Harkins, Jr.

Title: QF-4 Pilot, Controller

Company: United States Air Force

Location: New Mexico

Jim Harkins, Jr.’s passion for flying airplanes led him to pursue a military career. Mr. Harkins has been involved with the United States Air Force for more than three decades and currently services as a controller and QF-4 pilot. Mr. Harkins has extensive experience flying fighter jets and spends his days performing office work in order to support daily flying operations and unmanned test shots, flying remote controlled test planes from a computer system, and testing systems prior to purchase. He also flies two to three times a week. Mr. Harkins created a national record for altitude by flying 36,000 feet in a sailplane and a record in Colorado state junior distance. He believes the highlight of his career was being the first combat-ready American in the Royal Air Force Jaguar Fighter. Mr. Harkins is a certified sailplane instructor and certified airline transport pilot and attributes his success to his early exposure to flying, perseverance, luck and education received from the United States Air Force Academy.

Kenneth Walters

Title: Staff Sergeant (Retired)

Company: United States Air Force

Location: Carlisle, PA

Mr. Walters retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1986 as a receiving clerk due to medical conditions. He received many ribbons and medals while serving in the military. He also won 16 medals including gold, silver and bronze, as well as two plaques from competing in various wheelchair games, such as the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, Appalachian Wheelchair Games, and the National Rifle Association and Beeman Air Rifle Competitions. He pursues ongoing training in the military as an aircraft electrician, as well as in base supply. He also attends non-commissioned officer leadership training. An expert in aircraft electrical systems, he oversaw the supply section and operating lines at Edwards Air Force Base and performed clerical duties. Mr. Walters was inspired to join the military by two high school friends who chose that path. He is extremely proud of his career and attributes his success to the training he received in the military.