Maj. Ron McKimmy awarded Bronze Star in Afghanistan

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

11.27.2011

Story by Cmdr. Robert Mulac 

U.S. Forces Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan – Maj. Ron McKimmy Jr., of Reno, Nev., was recently awarded the Bronze Star while deployed to Afghanistan.

McKimmey, currently deployed with the United States – Afghanistan, Reach Back Safety Division, is currently serving a tour of duty in Kabul, Afghanistan, as a ground safety officer. McKimmy arrived in July 2010, and has served with the 101st Airborne Division and 1st Cavalry, in addition to USFOR-A.

McKimmy received the award in October 2011 for his expertise, outstanding performance, and dedication to duty, while stationed in theater. He said was very humbled by the award. “I simply collect and analyze accident trends, MRAP rollover data, and try to make things as safe as possible for the people in theater so they can focus on doing their job without worrying about getting hurt doing it,” he said.

A 1996 graduate of the University of Nevada, McKimmy enlisted in the Army in 1983 and served on active duty as a military policeman for four years. He then transitioned to the Army National Guard in 1987 where he remained and retired with 21 years service in 2005. He reactivated military service by joining the Army Reserve in 2009.

When not deployed, McKimmy is employed by the State of Nevada, Department of Motor Vehicles, as an IT programmer in the Motor Vehicle Information Technology Department. He feels his wartime deployment experiences will enhance his civilian employment. “I have grown personally and feel I am a better person for it. I look at things in a different light now and things that were such a big deal then, aren’t such a big deal anymore,” said McKimmy.

The separation from family has been the biggest challenge of the deployment for McKimmy. “This is the longest time I have ever been away from my son Gunnar," he said. “When I left home in May 2010, he was 14, starting his freshman year in high school and I was taller than him. When I came home on leave in July 2011, he was 15 and stood 6'2", a full 2" taller than me. I haven't seen him play high school football yet and this deployment will end after his sophomore season ends.”

Now that he is back in the service, McKimmy plans to stay in the Army Reserve for at least a few more years. “I don’t plan on retiring anytime soon. My goal is to make lieutenant colonel before I retire for good.”

His current deployment will end in early 2012.

• Date Taken: 11.27.2011
• Date Posted: 11.28.2011 09:50
• Story ID: 80611
• Location: KABUL, AF