Sanford native celebrates retirement from Army after 26 years

The United States Army Cyber Center of Excellence at Fort Gordon, GA held their 2016 Retirement Ceremony on May 26, 2016. Sergeant First Class (SFC) Bruce Melton a native of Sanford, FL was presented with his Retirement Certificate.  The sequence of events for the ceremony was as follows:  Welcome; Arrival of the Official Party; Invocation; Posting of Colors; National Anthem; Presentation of Retirement Certificates; Reviewing Officer Remarks; Retirement Medley by the Signal Corps Band; Retirement of Colors and Departure of the Official Party.
SFC Melton, a Lake Mary High School graduate, enlisted in the Army in July 1990, completed Basic Training at Fort Jackson, SC and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Gordon, GA as a COMSEC (communications security) Repairer.  His military education includes the following courses: Instructional Training, Warrior Leadership, Advance Leadership, Senior Leadership, Unit Movement (Phase I, II, and III), Safety Officer/Non-Commissioner, Maintenance Leader, Army Combatives Level I, Unit Prevention Leaders, Action Officer, Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE), and Airlift Planners.
During his 26 years of service, he served in various leadership positions to include Squad Leader, Shop Foreman, Electronic Maintenance Shop Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, Advance Individual Training Instructor, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant and G-4 Sergeant Major.  
SFC Melton holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree in Human Resource Management (Columbia Southern University, 2015); a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Business Administration (Columbia Southern University, 2012) and an Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree in General Studies (University of Maryland, 2008). His past assignments include Shop Supervisor for 317th Maintenance Company (Direct Support), Bamberg, Germany; deployment to Operation Iraq Freedom; Shop Foreman for 297th Military Intelligence Company at Fort Gordon, Georgia; Squad Leader/Shop Supervisor for 19th Maintenance Company, Hanau, Germany (Direct Support); 101st Military Intelligence Company, Fort Riley, Kansas; 304th Signal Battalion Camp, Colbern, Korea; 632nd Maintenance Company, Fort Stewart, Georgia (Direct Support); deployment to Desert Storm; 73rd Ordnance Battalion, Fort Gordon, Georgia; Instructor/Writer for the Radio/COMSEC Repair Course; HHC (Headquarters & Headquarters Company) 72nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion (ESB), Mannheim, Germany; Deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 10-12 (Third Deployment); 7th Signal Command G-4 Fort Gordon, Georgia; Electronic Maintenance Chief in HHC 304th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, Camp Humphreys, Korea. He is currently serving as the Computer/Chemical Course Non-Commissioner in Charge (94F).
His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (2 Oak Leaf Cluster); Army Commendation Medal (2 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster/1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster); Army Achievement Medal (2 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster); Good Conduct Medal (8th Award); National Defense Service Medal (1 Bronze Star); Southwest Asia Service Medal (2 Bronze Stars); Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Korea Defense Service Medal; Iraqi Campaign Medal; Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal; NCO Professional Development Ribbon (3rd Award); Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon (6th Award); Kuwait Liberation (Saudi Arabia); Kuwait Liberation (Kuwait); and Meritorious Unit Commendation.
SFC Melton is the son of James and Eartha Melton of Sanford who are extremely proud of him and his military service and accomplishments.
They along with other family members traveled to Fort Gordon for the Retirement Ceremony.  He is married to Sabrina Melton; they have two children, Jeremy (26), Briyuana (24) and a 5-year old grandson, Ayden. His hobbies include spending time with family and playing sports. His short-term goal is to retire from the military on August 19, 2016 and continue to serve as a civilian.  His long-term goal is to grow his home-based business.  Congratulations to SFC Bruce Melton. Thank you for your service to our country.  Best wishes to you and your family.

• Save the Date and Plan to Attend. Unity Back in the CommUNITY, Inc. (UBIC), presents a Night of Gospel Anthems and Hymns at 7 p.m. on Sat., August 6, 2016 at The Kingdom Church, 1400 N. Nowell St. in Orlando (new location), featuring UBIC’S Anthem Ensemble, Vanessa Hawkins, C. Lajuan Adams, Chelvert Wellington, Cece Teneal, Cliff Youngblood, Bilandra Dinkins, Christy Love, Corey Jackson, Ronalda Nelson, Trevor Grace, Shaketa KeeKee Henson, and other local artists.  Everyone is invited to come and bring your family and friends to hear an anointed selection of contemporary Gospel anthems and traditional hymns.  
Hallelujah! This event is a fundraiser in support of Orlando’s Jones High School Band Program and is being sponsored by the Young Law Firm of Florida, LLC. This is a free concert; love offerings will be accepted.  For more information, contact Dr. David Hardrick at 407-463-1813 or E-mail:DJ@Davidhardrick.com. Rev. David S. Jacques, Host Pastor.

- Sheralyn Brinson, The Bulletin Board, SBrinson@MySanfordHerald.com