Veteran for Life:
Sheri Rinker
U.S. Army
1991-1999
From uniform to civilian attire, I bring a unique perspective and dedication, not only to the Exchange, but to all our brothers and sisters in arms, either on the home front or at the tip of the spear. It is an honor to still serve right along with our service men and women.
At the beginning of my service, I was combat medic with the ARNG of Oklahoma. Our insignia was of the Thunderbird and our motto was “Semper Anticus” (Always Forward). I helped deploy my unit in support of the Gulf War from 1991-92.
Once my time was completed in the ARNG, I chose to go active myself. Due to the overwhelming amount of combat medics already on active duty, I was required to change, so I decided that if I couldn’t “fix” people,” I would “fix” equipment. My active duty position was depot maintenance/light-wheeled vehicle mechanic. From my training at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md., I then went on to Fort Lewis, Wash., working in the ordnance depot repairing engines, differentials, transmissions, transfer cases, etc., from HMMWVs on up to nine-ton tractors.
From there, I was deployed to Korea, attached to the 595th Maintenance Company where our primary mission was non-combatant Evacuation Operation. I completed my military service in 1999.
Since coming with AAFES, I have deployed to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom from June 2014 through December 2015 and have returned to Afghanistan in September 2017 until September 2018.
