Bio

FIRST SERGEANT (RETIRED) TONY SOUTHARD

SENIOR ARMY INSTRUCTOR, JROTC

EASTERN RANDOLPH HIGH SCHOOL

First Sergeant (Retired) Tony Southard was born in Pinehurst, North Carolina. He is a graduate of East Montgomery High School and holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from the University of Maryland, University College. He entered the United States Army July 25, 1995 and attended One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. 

First Sergeant Southard’s assignments include: Tow Missile Gunner, 2-11 ACR, Fort Irwin, California; Bradley Gunner, 1-8 Infantry, Fort Carson, Colorado; Dismount Team Leader, 1-9 Infantry, Camp Hovey, Korea; Rifle Squad Leader, 2-505, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Station Commander and Recruiter, Findlay Recruiting Station, Findlay, Ohio; Platoon Sergeant, 1-508, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Platoon Sergeant, 2-505, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Battalion Operations Sergeant, 2-505, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Security Cooperation Office Operations Sergeant, Security Cooperation Office Suriname, United States Southern Command, Paramaribo, Suriname; First Sergeant, Baker Company,1-15 Infantry Regiment; 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Georgia; First Sergeant, Battle Company, Task Force 1-28, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Georgia. First Sergeant Southard also completed two combat deployments in Afghanistan and one in Iraq.

Military awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Gold Recruiting Badge, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Expert Infantryman's Badge, Parachutist Badge, Drivers Badge, Mechanics Badge for wheel and tracked vehicles.

First Sergeant Southard retired from the Army in 2017 after 20 years of honorable service and is currently instructing JROTC at Eastern Randolph High School.