Training NCO, MSG Earl Worstell

MSG Worstell, originally from Warren, Ohio entered active duty in 1991 as a Combat Engineer.

He has spent the majority of his 16 year career overseas being first stationed at Camp Hovey and Camp Howze, Korea for a year and then serving three non-consecutive tours (9yrs) in Germany (Schweinfurt, Bamberg and Giessen respectively). While squad leader in Germany he led his squad in the Sapper Stakes Competition, where they were awarded "Best Squad". His state side posts include Ft. Stewart, GA and Ft. Riley, KS

He has also seen multiple deployments. His first deployment was to Kuwait in 1994 as part of an intrinsic action. His second tour was to Bosnia in 1996 where his squad was involved in demining operations for Operation Joint Endeavor. He then spent a second tour in Kuwait in 2000, as part of Operation Desert Spring Intrinsic Action. His last two combat tours where in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

During his first 15 month deployment to Baghdad, Iraq in 2003-2004 his squad was involved in rebuilding and peacekeeping operations. On his second 12 month tour to Ar Ramadi in 2005-2006, his platoon set the record of disarming 12 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in one mission and well over 250 IEDs total, while carrying out their mission of convoy security and route clearance. He views his greatest accomplishment as bringing all of his Soldiers that he deployed with home safely.

MSG Worstell's decorations include:

• Bronze Star (1OLC)
• Meritorious Service Medal
• Army Commendation Medal (5OLC)
• Army Achievement Medal (3OLC)
• Combat Action Badge (CAB)
• German Schutzenschnur Badge