Western Region Committeeman
I am both honored and humbled to serve as one of the regional committeemen for Western Region, Society of the Third Infantry Division. I’ve been an active member of Renegade Outpost 15 (AZ, UT, CO, and NM) of the Society since 2017, and outpost president since 2021. My involvement with the Society continually refreshes my love for Soldiers and the bonds we share, even these more than thirty years since I retired from the Army. My intent is to live up to the expectations of the Society’s leadership and membership in both my outpost and regional responsibilities. At my age, I consider this my last opportunity to still “take care of Soldiers,” so I want to contribute any way I can to help recruit, retain, motivate, and memorialize members of our Society. I still try to practice “servant-leadership.”
Born in Kalkaska, Michigan, I’m a graduate of Michigan Technological University, 1971 (B.S.B.A.); Infantry Officer Basic Course, 1971 (MOS 1542); Mechanized Infantry Platoon Leader Course, 1972 (MOS 1560); Army Security Management Course, 1973; Instructional Technology Course, 1976; Military Police Officer Advanced Course, 1980 (MOS 31A); Webster University, 1982 (dual-majors M.A.); Command & General Staff College, 1983; Countering Terrorism on Military Installations Course, 1985; West German Federal Police Command & Management Academy (orientation course), 1987; and Federal Prison Security Management Course, 1990.
My Army career started in June 1971. After IOBC, I was assigned as platoon leader for 3rd Platoon in Alpha Company, 2/15th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized), at Wildflecken, West Germany. I later served as the weapons platoon leader and as company executive officer, all in Company A, 2/15th. My time in the Marne Division was invaluable, foundational, and just plain fun! (My late father, by the way, also served with the 3rd Inf Div for a short period of time, during WWII.) I branch-transferred to the Military Police Corps in November 1978. I retired from active duty as a lieutenant colonel at Ft. Leavenworth, KS, at the end of 1992, then moving to Arizona.
Post-Army career, I served in management positions locally in Tucson and regionally for Southern Arizona in prison construction, my church staff, prison ministry, community corrections, and substance abuse and mental health services.
I retired for the second time, and for good this time, in 2008. If you are really interested in more details, especially my Army career, or need a cure for insomnia, you can read the somewhat irreverent bio and pictures I posted on Aug. 22, 2002, at my Facebook page (“Bill Blissett”)!
My wife, Chantal (a retired chemist), and I live in Oro Valley, Arizona. Fraternal twin sons Alex and Bob and their families also live in Arizona, in the Phoenix area, so we enjoy access to our four young grandchildren. I’m a lifetime member of five other Veterans-related organizations besides our Society. Chantal and I are also active in our local church and thankful to the Lord for all the blessings, opportunities, and friends He gives us.
ROTM!
V/r,
Bill Blissett