Joe’s Military Career
Joe Earley enlisted as an Armor Crewman on January 19th, 1982, and retired from the US Army on January 31st, 2002 as an Armor First Sergeant after 20 years of distinguished enlisted service to this great nation.
Overseas assignments include service with the 3rd Squadron 11th Armored Cavalry (Blackhorse) Regiment in the Fulda Gap of the previous West Germany, two tours in the Republic of Korea (South Korea) with the 2nd Infantry Division, and a Kuwait Deployment with 3rd Battalion 69th Armor Regiment during Operation Vigilant Warrior.
The use of these images do not imply an endorsement from any military agency.
Stateside duty includes Cavalry and Armor assignments with the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Stewart, GA, the 1-10 Cavalry Combined Arms Task Force at Fort Knox, Kentucky, Drill Sergeant with 2nd and 4th Battalion 46th Infantry Regiment at Fort Knox, Kentucky, Regimental Tac NCO with the United States Corps of Cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point, culminating as an M1A1 Tank Weapons Systems advisor to the 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania National Guard.
Within the tactical combat unit assignments, Joe held positions of Tank Driver, Loader, Gunner, Tank Commander, Platoon Sergeant, M1A1 Master Gunner, Military Intelligence NCO, and First Sergeant.
Authorized Decorations, Medals, and Badges:
- Army Superior Unit Award and the Southwest Asia Service Medal with 1xBSS
- Meritorious Service Medal (3xOLC)
- Army Commendation Medal (2xOLC)
- Army Achievement Medal (5xOLC)
- National Defense Service Medal
- Army Good Conduct Medal x5
- Army Service Ribbon
- Overseas Service Ribbon x3
- Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon (3)
- Expert Marksman (Pistol)
- Drill Sergeant Identification Badge
Joe was inducted as a life member into the prestigious United States Army Sergeant Audie L. Murphy Leadership Club
Military education includes Primary Leadership Development Course, Armor Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Armor Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, Drill Sergeant School, M1A1 Master Gunner Course, and the US Army First Sergeant Course at Fort Bliss, Texas.
While assigned as an M1A1 Tank Master Gunner, Joe deployed to the Kuwaiti Theater of Operations with the 24th Infantry Division’s, 3rd Battalion 69th Armor Regiment in support of Operation Vigilant Warrior. During this rapid deployment and as the first Tank Master Gunner deployed, Joe (then SFC Earley) was tasked to lead a forward deployed team to coordinate and establish occupancy of a Tank Weapons System range at Udari, near the Iraqi border. Under his successful leadership on this mission, the 2-7 Infantry Combined Arms Task Force Commanders were able to quickly verify the combat readiness and lethal effectiveness of forward deployed combat assets and equipment for the rapidly deployed Armor and Infantry units.
Connect With Us