Colonel Ford joined the Army JROTC program in August 2002, upon completing more than 28 years of commissioned service in the Army. He has been an instructor at Overton since joining the program.
A native of Meridian, Mississippi, Colonel Ford earned his Bachelors of Science Degree in Business from Mississippi State University and his Masters of Science in Education Degree from Southern Illinois University. He also is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and U.S. Air Force War College.
In 2005, Colonel Ford was recognized as the Memphis City School’s Outstanding JROTC Instructor of the Year.
Master Sergeant Kevin W. McDougall hails from Indianapolis, Indiana. He graduated from Arsenal Technical High School in 1980. He began his service in April 1982 as an Infantryman after completing the Basic and Advance Infantry Training Course at Fort Benning, Georgia and was then assigned to 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Master Sergeant McDougall served with the 101st Airborne Division from 1982 through 1986 as Radio Telephone Operator, Team Leader, Squad Leader and Battalion School’s NCO. In March of 1986 he separated from the Army.
Upon returning to the Army in December of 1987 he was assigned to 1st Ranger Battalion, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia were he served as a Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant. It was during this tour when he saw combat as he jump mastered his unit into Toris Tocumen Airfield in the Republic of Panama for Operation “Just Cause.”
He was then transferred to 75th Ranger Regiment Headquarters at Fort Benning, Georgia in May of 1990. He moved from there to serve as a Ranger Instructor at the 4th Ranger Training Battalion, and Brigade Assistant Operations Sergeant at the Ranger Training Brigade Headquarters.
In October 1993 he was accepted as member of the United States Army Parachute Team, “The Golden Knights” and was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. During this tour he conducted performances around the world and coordinated demonstrations as the Assistant Operations Sergeant. While assigned to the team he was also able to complete the Non-Commission Officers Battle Staff Course at the United States Army Sergeant Major Academy, in Fort Bliss, Texas.
In December of 1997, he transferred to the 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii where he served as a Platoon Sergeant and as the G-3 Air NCOIC until transferring to USARJ in June of 2001 where he is currently serving.
Master Sergeant McDougall’s military schooling consist of Air Assault School, the Primary Non-Commissioned Officer’s Course (PNCOC), Basic Non-Commissioned Officer’s Course (BNCOC), Airborne School, Ranger School, Advance Non-Commissioned Officer’s Course (ANCOC), Military Freefall Course, Battle Staff Non-Commissioned Officer Course, and the Air Force’s Air Load Planners Course.
Master Sergeant McDougall’s awards include the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Achievement Medal (with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Expeditionary Medal w/Arrow Device, National Defense Service Ribbon w/Bronze Star, Non-Commission Officer’s Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, the Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge w/Combat Star, the Air Assault Badge, Military Freefall Badge and the Ranger Tab.
MSG McDougall civilian education consists of an Associate in Science from Troy State University and a Bachelor in Business Management from Park University with a cumulative 3.875 GPA.
MSG McDougall was recognized as the Memphis City School’s Enlisted Instructor of the Year in 2004 and the US Army JROTC Enlisted Instructor of the Year in 2005. This was a major accomplish as he competed against over 1,300 instructors world wide for this esteem award.
MSG McDougall is married to the former Sheryl K. Sledge of Memphis, Tennessee whom graduated from Mississippi State University and teaches in the Shelby County Schools system. His son Kyle and daughter Samantha reside with him and his wife in Millington, Tennessee.
