About the Author

First Sergeant (Retired) Ron J. Taylor began his active military service in October 1982 as a graduate from the OSUT. Taylor first served as an advance party-man and howitzer driver in A Battery, 3-19th FA at Fort Polk, LA. Taylor also served as Gunner for C Battery, 2-83rd FA in Babenhausen, Germany. Taylor then served as a Gunner and Howitzer Section Chief for A Battery, 3-11th FA. Taylor also served as a Howitzer Section Chief for C-Battery, 4-29th FA, Baumholder, Germany. During his time in 4-29th FA, Taylor's platoon was deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm where he was attached to A Battery, 1-17th FA. Upon Taylor's return from Desert Storm, he was reassigned to Service Battery, 4-29th FA as the Battalion Nuclear Weapons NCOIC. Taylor then served as Howitzer Section Chief, Gunnery Sergeant and Battalion Master Gunner for 1-39th FAR (ABN). Taylor was reassigned as the Brigade Master Gunner for HHB, 18th FA Brigade (ABN). Taylor also served as an Observer Controller for 4th FA, 5th AR Brigade. Taylor served as Chief of Firing Battery (Platoon Sergeant) for B-Battery, 3-29th FA. Taylor also served as the Battalion Operations Sergeant for 1-15th FA in Camp Casey, Korea. First Sergeant (Retired) Taylor then served as the Senior Military Instructor for Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI. Taylor served as the Battalion Operations Sergeant Major and B Battery First Sergeant for 2-377th Parachute Field Artillery (ABN) where he deployed to Iraq for 14 months.

Taylor's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Korea Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, five Overseas Ribbons, the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Emirate of Kuwait), the Combat Action Badge, the Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Drivers Badge.

Taylor was inducted into the Sergeant Morales Club in 1992, the Field Artillery's Honorable Order of Saint Barbara in 1996 and he was also enrolled into the rolls of the Order of the Combat Spur in 2007. He was awarded the "Gold Cavalry Spurs" in 2007. Taylor retired after serving 26 years of active military service on October 31, 2008.

Jeff Slutsky is a speaker and author. www.streetfightermarketing.com.