Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Melissa Applebee
Cpl. Kevin Nation, 1st ID, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (OSJA), sits outside at Turtle Pond on COB Basra.
BASRA – From his time in the Marine Corps, to his retirement as a police chief, to his current assignment, 40-year-old Nation has gained a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a work ethic commensurate with someone far above his grade.
For 18 years, Nation made law enforcement a career, retiring as police chief of Westmoreland, Tenn., in 2007. Still yearning for bigger and better challenges, Nation decided to start a 2nd career in the Army. Nation holds an associate degree in Paralegal Studies, and is currently working on a master's degree in Criminal Justice Administration, with an emphasis on Domestic and Int'l Terrorism.
"Nation's perception on criminal cases, which from a JAG perspective is usually found in dated military reports, is extremely remarkable coming from a first-responder. A Soldier of his caliber is commensurate with many senior leaders in the Army," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Parry Preuc, Nation's current supervisor.
After completion of his reclassification training, Nation plans on submitting his warrant officer packet, so he can become a legal administrator in the JAG Corps. In this competitive field, Nation hopes his experience and education will give him an edge. If the endorsement of his leaders means anything, he should do fine.
"Corporal Nation is obviously a well-together Soldier and citizen. His approach to every task at hand, his service, and his outstanding administrative support to the OSJA speaks volumes to the fact that he is well in-tune with his prior military service, and service to the people where he protected and served," says Sgt. Maj. David DeFrancisco, the command paralegal NCO for 1st Inf Div and USD-South.
When asked about his impression of Nation, Lt. Col. Russell Jackson, the Deputy SJA had high praise. "I'm very impressed with his work ethic. The fact that he's more mature than our average E-4 is really helpful," he said. "The life experience he brings to the job is also extremely beneficial."
Nation has interesting historical ties to the 1st ID and Fort Riley. On his desk sits a photo of his father at Fort Riley when he shipped out to Vietnam with the 9th ID. Nation reenlisted, Feb. 6. On that same date in 1967, his father arrived at Fort Riley before departing for Vietnam. Nation decided to reenlist, Feb. 6, to honor his father.
Whenever Nation eventually decides to leave the Army, he hopes to use his degree and experience to instruct at a law enforcement academy, or even as a professor at a college or university. Nation's been married to Diana Nation for 6 years, and they have 4 children. In his free time, he enjoys woodworking, barbecuing and motorcycle outings. While serving in Iraq, he can often be found employing his "grillmaster" skills by barbecuing steaks for his fellow Soldiers.
"He's the only guy I know in the Army who has worn 5 stars on his uniform before putting on 2 stripes," Col. Michael Smidt, the 1st ID and USD-S SJA said of Nation. "He's a former Marine, police chief, and one heck of a great NCO."