Photo By Kelly Morris | Fort Rucker conducts its Quarterly Retirement Ceremony at the U.S. Army Aviation...... read more read more
FORT RUCKER, Ala.-- Eleven Fort Rucker Soldiers and Army Civilians with over 250 years combined service, 30 combat deployments and dozens of assignments retired at the quarterly retirement ceremony in the Army Aviation Museum on July 24.
Fort Rucker Garrison Commander Col. Jeff Paulus praised them and their families’ decades of service and the lasting impact of their leadership on the Army. Paulus said the retirees' greatest legacy is the people they mentored and the Army they helped shape.
"While you are leaving military service, it is the legacy of the Soldiers, officers, aviators and Army Civilians that you have led with, bled with and supported that will endure," Paulus said. "In every case, that legacy endures through the thousands of Soldiers and Civilians who are better because of your leadership."
Paulus recognized senior noncommissioned officers and Army Civilian professionals for preparing the next generation of Soldiers and helping transform the Army to meet future challenges.
"You didn't just fight that war, you built the Army that will fight the next one," he said.
He also thanked military families for the sacrifices they made throughout their loved ones' careers, calling spouses' support essential to every Army success.
Paulus encouraged the retirees to continue serving their communities, saying their leadership remains vital beyond military service.
"Our beloved Army is better because of you.”
The following is a short write up of each retiree.
Command Sergeant Major Caprina Rivers Command Sergeant Major Caprina Rivers enlisted in the Army in 2003 as a 15P Aviation Operations Specialist. During 22 years of service, she served at Camp Page, South Korea; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Rucker, Alabama; Fort Riley, Kansas; the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York; Camp Humphreys, South Korea (twice); Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia; the Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas; and Fort Wainwright, Alaska. She completed 29 months of combat and operational deployments supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and held numerous leadership positions culminating as Command Sergeant Major. She credits mentoring and developing Soldiers as the highlight of her career. She and her husband,Anthony, along with their son,Josiah, will retire to McDonough, Georgia.
First Sergeant Robert Lee Ballard First Sergeant Robert Lee Ballard enlisted in the Army in 1998 as an Aviation Operations Specialist. During 26 years of service, he served at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii; Fort Rucker, Alabama; Fort Carson, Colorado; Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Drum, New York; Fort Belvoir, Virginia; and Fort Wainwright, Alaska. His deployments included Operation Joint Forge in Europe, two combat tours supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn, and a rotation to South Korea. He earned associate and bachelor's degrees in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He and his wife,Kristen, along with their sons,CPT Calvin R. L. Ballard,Seth M. Ballard, and stepsonJacob G. Spencer, will retire to Enterprise, Alabama.
Master Sergeant Roman Harrell Master Sergeant Roman Harrell entered military service in 2001 and served more than 25 years in four military occupational specialties: Infantryman, Aviation Operations Specialist, Army Recruiter, and Talent Acquisition Specialist. His assignments included Maxwell Air Force Base and Fort Rucker, Alabama; Fort Polk, Louisiana; and numerous recruiting assignments. He deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn and served in key leadership positions, including Operations Sergeant Major and First Sergeant. He considers leading and mentoring Soldiers the greatest honor of his career. He and his wife,Ashley, look forward to enjoying retirement and the next chapter of life together.
Sergeant First Class Luis Christian Oropeza Sergeant First Class Luis Christian Oropeza enlisted in 2002 as a Field Artillery Cannon Crewmember. During 24 years of service, he served at Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Vilseck, Germany; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; and Camp Bull Simons with 7th Special Forces Group, Florida. He completed three deployments supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, two supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, and additional missions throughout the Caribbean, Central America, the Southern Cone, and the Andean Ridge. He held leadership positions in artillery, intelligence, and special operations. He and his wife,Sha'Von Lashawn Oropeza, along with their children,Aaron Jr., Sophia, Amelia, and Malia, will retire to Shalimar, Florida, where he will begin a career in homeland security.
Sergeant First Class Roseanda Evans Sergeant First Class Roseanda Evans entered military service in 2003 as an Aviation Operations Specialist. During 23 years of service, she served at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia; Fort Rucker, Alabama; Camp Humphreys, South Korea; and Fort Bliss, Texas. Her deployments included Operations Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Atlantic Resolve in Poland. She served in numerous operational and leadership positions and considers working with exceptional Soldiers the highlight of her career. She plans to retire to Enterprise, Alabama.
Sergeant First Class Pisith Vunn Sergeant First Class Pisith Vunn enlisted in 2003 and became an Air Traffic Control Specialist. During 22 years of service, he served in Grafenwohr, Germany; Fort Rucker, Alabama; Camp Humphreys, South Korea; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and Fort Hood, Texas. He deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield and held numerous aviation leadership positions, including 8th Army G3 Aviation Sergeant Major. He and his wife,Tonia Lynn Thompson Vunn**,** along with their children,Giancarlo Layton VunnandAnnabella Amor Pauline Vunn, will retire in Florida.
Sergeant First Class Bernard J. Battle Jr. Sergeant First Class Bernard J. Battle Jr. enlisted in 2004 as an Aviation Operations Specialist. During 22 years of service, he served at Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Drum, New York; and Fort Rucker, Alabama (twice). He deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, and Atlantic Resolve, earning numerous awards, including seven Army Commendation Medals and the Master Aviation Badge. He and his daughter**,A'Ziya,** will retire to Enterprise, Alabama.
Mr. Estes Mr. Estes entered federal civilian service in 2009 with the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory at Fort Rucker, Alabama, while continuing to serve as an Army Reservist. Over 30 years of combined military and civilian service, he served as a supply specialist, field medical assistant, MEDEVAC and maintenance test pilot, detachment commander, research aviator, medical operations officer, biomedical research engineering technician, and 3D prototyping team lead. He designed more than 2,300 research projects, earned prestigious professional awards, and received a U.S. patent in 2025. He and his wife,Teresa L. Estes, will retire to Level Plains, Alabama.
Mr. Stamaris Mr. Stamaris served more than 24 years with the AMCOM Combined Logistics Command at Fort Rucker, Alabama, as a Quality Assurance Specialist, Publications Officer, and Depot Repair Authorization Analyst. His work modernized maintenance tracking systems and generated an average annual cost avoidance of $25 million while supporting Army aviation maintenance. A recipient of several distinguished awards, he and his wife,Heather Stamaris**,** will retire to Headland, Alabama, where they will continue supporting SERE training, local charities, and travel.
Mr. Choate Mr. Choate served nearly 30 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer Four and Master Army Aviator with more than 3,000 flight hours. Following military retirement, he continued serving as a Battle Command Instructor, Personnel Recovery fielding specialist, and Capability Development and Integration Specialist with the Medical Evacuation Capabilities Division at Fort Rucker. He helped advance future MEDEVAC capabilities, autonomous aviation initiatives, and Army aviation heritage. He and his wife,Clare, will retire to Level Plains, Alabama.
Mr. Parsons Mr. Parsons entered federal civilian service in 2008 with the Fort Rucker Garrison Plans, Analysis, and Integration Office before joining the Aviation Center of Excellence G3 in 2009, where he later served as Chief of Current Operations. During 18 years as a civilian, and 42 years of combined military and civilian service, he supported crisis management, global operations, foreign military engagements, and installation planning while coordinating operations across Fort Rucker. He credits the people, partnerships, and opportunities to serve around the world as the greatest highlights of his career. He and his wife,Patricia L. (Trish) Parsons, along with their son,Austin T. Parsons**,** will remain in Enterprise, Alabama.
| Date Taken: | 07.24.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 07.24.2026 17:01 |
| Story ID: | 570686 |
| Location: | FORT NOVOSEL, ALABAMA, US |
| Web Views: | 16 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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