Richard Schaefer

United States Navy and United States Army 1971-1996

Vietnam Era

Major

National Defense Service medal

Aremd Foreces reserve medal

Humanitarian Service medal

Army service Medal

CT Emergency service Ribbon

After graduating from Jacksonville University (Jacksonville,Fla) I entered the US Navy in Feb 1971 and attended Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Newport, RI. After graduation in July of that same year I went to Patuxent River Naval Station and attended Mess Management School where I was taught to operate an Officer's Club and Hotel. After completing that school I was sent to Naval Training Center in Orlando Florida where I was assigned as the BOQ Officer (Bachelor Officers Quarters). While there I played softball in the base league and named MVP. Because I was about to be discharged from the Navy on an”Early Out” program I turned down an offer to tour the country with the Navy to play softball. I then entered the Navy Reserves in Dayton, Ohio, where I relocated for civilian work. While in the reserves I spent time in Little Creek, VA on the USS Newport, an LST (Landing Ship Tank).
After relocating to CT to take a job at Electric Boat I resigned my Officer Commission in the Navy and took a Commission in the CT Army National Guard as a First Lieutenant serving as a platoon leader. I was then promoted to Captain and became the Company Commander of the 250th Engineer Company (Danielson, CT). This was a Bridge Company where we trained and built bridges throughout Connecticut. The 250th was deployed for a 2 week tour of duty in Germany where we married up with our sister company to patrol the German border. After serving time in the National Guard I transferred to the Army Reserves where I was a Supply Officer and then Company Commander of the Service and Supply Company of the 76th Division. After being promoted to Major I became the S-4 of the Logistics Group within the 76th Division. The S-4 is the Officer in charge of all the Supply and Logistics within the Logistics Group. As part of the military reduction program, President Bill Clinton eliminated the 76th Division and all the positions within the organization. I was then forced to transfer to the RTU (Reserve Training Unit) of the 94th ARCOM in West Hartford where I finished my 21 years of military service and then retired.
I continue to serve by being a member of the American Legion Tanguay-Magill Post 80 in Enfield. I serve as a member of the Honor Guard where we perform Military Honors at funerals for our veterans. We pay tribute by firing three rounds with our rifles and blow taps on the bugle. It is a very rewarding experience for us and is very appreciative by the families.

I had a great military experience. I loved serving my country and would do it again in a heartbeat. I highly recommend the military service to any young person looking for direction in their life.

Richard Schaefer, Major USA Retired