Rod Powers is a retired Air Force First Sergeant, and military author. His informative articles about joining the military have appeared in numerous military and civilian publications. He is the author of ASVAB for Dummies, published by Wiley, and Barron's Guide to Officer Candidate School Tests, which hit the book shelves in October 2006.
Experience:
Rod retired from the Air Force in September 1998 with 23 years of service, 11 of those years as a first sergeant. He's been stationed around the World (both in Europe and Asia), and served in Kuwait during Desert Storm (the first Gulf War). Rod has been a featured speaker at various military ceremonies, including enlisted Professional Military Education (PME) graduation ceremonies, enlisted promotion ceremonies, patriotic events sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Air Force NCO Association, and more. His decorations include the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with three oak-leaf clusters, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Short and Long Tour Overseas Medal, the Small Arms Marksmanship Medal (with the bronze star), the National Defense Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, and more. Additionally, he was selected as the Air Force Flight Test Center's First Sergeant of the Year in 1988.
Education:
Rod Powers holds an Associate Degree in Personnel Administration from the Community College of the Air Force. He's also a distinguished graduate (top 10 percent of the class) of the Air Force Noncommissioned Officers (NCO) Academy, Senior NCO Academy (where he also won the class leadership award), and the Air Force First Sergeant Academy.
From Rod Powers:
Rod's comment about the About.com U.S. Military site is: "Whether you've made it a career or only joined up for a term or two, the military remains an important part of your life forever. This site is dedicated to those interested in any aspect of the U.S. Military."