Mr. Joshua Hunter, embarked on a career and a lifetime of service to the United States Army and the Infantry on August 19, 1999. Upon completing One Station Unit Training at the 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was awarded the Military Occupation Skill 11C, Indirect Fire Infantryman. He soon found himself assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, Texas. As a soldier in the Battalion Mortar Platoon, he honed his skills as a Gunner of a Heavy 120mm mortar system.
The outbreak of the Global War on Terrorism found Sergeant First Class Hunter serving as a Squad Leader, and in March 2003, he was deployed to Diyala Province, Iraq. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, he served with distinction and earned the Combat Infantryman’s Badge during this initial deployment. After the successful completion of this combat tour, Sergeant First Class Hunter was reassigned to the United States Army Recruiting Command (USAREC). He served the Kansas City Recruiting Battalion from October 2004-July 2008. During this time, he provided the Infantry with new recruits so she could continue to wage her nation’s battles in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
Following a Permanent Change of Station to Fort Wainwright, Alaska, Sergeant First Class Hunter was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment (Gimlets), 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. He served the Gimlet Battalion from July 2008 – July 2012, as a Battalion Mortar Fire Direction Chief and a Section Sergeant. In September 2008, Sergeant First Class Hunter again was deployed to Iraq, this time in support of Operation New Dawn. Upon redeployment to Fort Wainwright, Sergeant First Class Hunter spent the next year refitting the Mortar Platoon and training for the rapidly approaching deployment to Afghanistan. In June 2011, He led his Platoon to Kandahar Province, this time in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Upon completion of this third combat tour, Sergeant First Class Hunter was reassigned to Fort Knox, Kentucky, and the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Battalion (Blue Spaders), 3rd Light Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. Eleven months after arrival, as a Company Mortar Section Sergeant (60mm), he found himself deploying for a fourth time to Afghanistan. He was decorated with a Bronze Star Medal by the Special Forces Command as a result of his actions during this deployment.
In June 2014, Sergeant First Class Hunter was reassigned to where it all began 15 years earlier, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, Sand Hill, Fort Benning. He started this next chapter in his career with the newly formed Mortar Training Company. He spent the next two years as cadre at the Mortar Training Area in the Malone Complex at the “Mortar Square”, and his third year was spent as an Infantry Mortar Leader Course Instructor.
September 2017, had Sergeant First Class Hunter Permanent Change of Station to Fort Wainwright, Alaska, this time with the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Battalion (Bobcats), where he was selected from his peers to be a Rifle Platoon Sergeant with Bravo Company. For the fifth time, Sergeant First Class Hunter answered the call to Iraq (third time), in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Upon redeployment to Alaska in June 2020, he was assigned to the Virginia Military Institute where he served as a Military Science Instructor. During his three years at VMI, Army ROTC, he served as an MS III Instructor for one year, and the MS I NCOIC for two years. Mr. Hunter retired from the United States Army on August 31, 2023, with 24 years of service. Upon retiring, he was hired as a Military Science Contractor and has been in that role at VMI since November 1, 2023 as an MS II Instructor.
Mr. Hunter’s military education includes Common Faculty Development-Instructor Course, Senior Leader Course, Advance Leader Course, Basic Leader Course, Army Recruiter Course, Infantry Mortar Leader Course, Equal opportunity Course, SHARP Course, Sling Load Inspector Certification Course, Master Driver Trainer Course, Unit Prevention Leader Course, and Combat Lifesaver Course. He has also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Liberty University.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (“C” Device), Army Commendation Medal (8 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2OLC), the Valorous Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Citation (1 OLC), Army Superior Unit Award, the Army Good Conduct Medal (7th Award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 Campaign Stars, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with 4 Campaign Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 3), the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (with numeral 6), the NATO Medal, Recruiter Badge (Gold), Combat Infantryman Badge, Basic Instructor’s Badge, and the Driver’s Maintenance Badge-Driver Wheeled Mechanic Badge.
Mr. Hunter is married to the former Jessica Odell of Homer, New York. They have two daughters, Rebecca (22), Alyssa (17) and a son, Tyler (13).