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- Paul Salazar (MSG) Jr.
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Paul Salazar , Jr. (MSG)
Title: | Senior Military Science Instructor |
Department: | Army ROTC ROTC |
Email: | salazarp@mailbox.sc.edu |
Phone: | 803-777-4812 |
Office: | ROTC Center, Room 120 |
Background
MSG Salazar joined the Army on 27 Jan 2003. He was born and raised in Clearfield, Utah. He conducted Basic Combat Training in Alpha Company 1st Battalion 81st Armor Regiment at Fort Knox KY, where he completed 16 weeks of OSUT training and awarded a MOS specialty of 19K1O Armor Crewman. MSG Salazar was also inducted into the excellence in Armor association. He served as an Armor crewman throughout his entire career. His first assigned unit was the 4th Infantry Division in Fort Hood TX, where he was stationed from 2003-2009. He served with the 3rd Battalion 77th Armor Regiment, 1 Battalion 12th Infantry Regiment, and 1st Battalion 77th Armor Regiment. Some significant events of note while stationed at Fort Hood, MSG Salazar earned his combat spurs while deployed in support of the Iraq invasion OIF 1 2003-2004. During OIF 2006-2007, MSG Salazar was awarded a Battlefield promotion to Staff sergeant for combat actions during his deployment in Iraq.
In the fall of 2009, MSG Salazar was assigned to the 3rd Battalion 81st Cavalry Regiment as a Basic Officer Leaders Course Cadre. During that time, he worked closely with Armor school developing, overseeing, and implementing the training needed to develop officers within the Armor association. During his tenure station at Fort Knox, MSG Salazar was inducted in the Draper Leadership Association. He was awarded the Draper Leadership award for individual achievement at the Advanced Leaders Course. In 2010 his Company earned the coveted Draper Leadership Award for Top Armor Company while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Apache Troop 13th Calvary Brigade.
After leaving Fort Knox, MSG Salazar PCS’d to Korea apart of the second Infantry division. Where he conducted duties as a Battalion Master driver and Battalion Master Raven trainer, he was apart of Headquarters Company 1st Battalion 72nd Armor Regiment, "First Tank." During his rotation in Korea, he completed a Manchu Mile, Arctic survival Leaders Course in Black Rapids Alaska, and Master Drivers course.
Upon his rotation from Korea, MSG Salazar served as a Platoon Sergeant in Dragoon Company 2nd Battalion 8th Infantry Regiment at Fort Carson, Colorado. MSG Salazar deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield in Kuwait 2012-2013.
MSG Salazar was then stationed in El Paso Tx, a part of the 1st Armor Division "Americas Tank Division." MSG Salazar was part of the 4th Battalion 17th Infantry Regiment. He was the Platoon Sergeant for Baker Company 3rd Platoon 4-17 IN "Buffalos" During a rotation to the national training center MSG Salazar given his first opportunity to lead Attack Company 4-17 IN as their First Sergeant. He not only trained and led his Infantry Company in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan, in support of, Train Advise Assist East located at Tactical Base Gamberi. During this time, MSG Salazar had the most Soldiers from Attack Company earn the coveted Expert Infantryman Badge. His Company alone had three Soldiers, and two NCO's earn this prestigious award. Upon returning from their deployment, MSG Salazar was called upon to lead the Soldiers of Anger Company 1st Battalion 77th Armor Regiment as the Company First Sergeant. During this time, he trained his Soldiers to deploy in support of joint operations in South Korea. While in support of that deployment, Anger Company 1-77 AR was the first Company to conduct a joint obstacle live-fire breech exercise with the Republic Of Korea (ROK) Soldiers. This included a combined Armor and Infantry operation with their ROK Army counterparts.
MSG Salazar’s Military Education includes Senior ROTC Pre-Command Course Common Faculty Development and Instructor Course, First Sergeants/Commanders Course, Master Leaders Course, Senior Leaders Course, Cold Weather Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Master Drivers Course, Master Raven Trainers Course, Raven operators Course, Combat Life Savers Course, Basic Leaders Course.
His awards, decorations, and badges include The Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Awards, Army Commendation Medal (6 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (5 AWD), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon, (1 Bronze star) Iraq Campaign Ribbon ( 3 Bronze star) Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (4 AWD), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon (7 AWD), Nato Non-Article 5 Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Combat Action Badge, Multiple Expert systems/weapons badge, Expert Armor Association (EIA) Draper Leadership Individual Award, Combat Gold Spurs and Silver Spurs.