Miguel A. Rios is from Bronx, New York. He joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States on 9 October, 1997 as a Life Member. He served in the United States Army from July 1975 until July 1996 and retired in Europe. He received Basic Training at Ft. Leonardwood, Missouri and Advance Individual Training as an Infantryman at Ft. Polk, Louisiana. He served as a Recruiter; Records Team Leader for the 1st Battalion, 75th Rangers; Information Systems Security Officer; Noncommissioned Officer in Charged of 21st Replacement Battalion; and First Sergeant. His CONUS assignments included Fort Carson, Colorado; Boston, Massachusetts, and Fort Stewart, Georgia. His overseas assignments included Republic of Korea and five consecutive tours in Germany.
Some of his military education includes Electrician’s Course, Primary Leadership Course, Leadership Management Development Course, Military Personnel Records and Administrative Office Procedures - Instructor Course, Army Recruiting Course, Supervisor Development Program US/LN Civilian Personnel Management Course, Advance Noncommissioned Officer Course, First Sergeant’s Course and Safety Officer/NCO Course.
His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (4th OLC), Army Commendation Medal (5th OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2nd OLC), Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), the National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and the German Marksmanship Badge, Silver Award.
He was initially assigned to the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Heidelberg Post #9845. In November 1997, he transferred to Baumholder Post #2566. And in December 1997, he was elected as the Senior Vice Commander for the 1997-1998 term. In January 1998, he was appointed by the Department Commander of Europe as the Baumholder’s Post Commander for 1997-1998 term. In February 1998, he was elected to serve as District I Advocate for 1997-1998 term. In June 1998, he was elected to serve a new term (1998-1999) as District I Junior Vice Commander and Post Commander for Baumholder Iron Rock Post #2566.
Achievements and Memberships in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States:
- Appointment as Special Aid-de-Camp to Commander in Chief, John E. Moon (97-98 term)
- Top Recruiter (Europe List) 1997-98 and 1998-99
- Commander's Leadership Plaque
- National Recruiter Citation
- One Recruiting Star
- District 1 Citation
- Member of International China Post #1
- Post Membership Committee
- Gravediggers (Life Member)
- Military Order of the Cootie (MOC)
- VFW National Home (Life Member)
- Department of Europe Beer Busters (Life Member)
- Texas Horny Toads (Life Member)