Soldier feature: Sergeant 1st Class Thomas Ray McDougal

Courtesy Photo | Sgt. 1st Class Thomas McDougal of McAlester, Okla., a supply sergeant assigned to Delta Company, 700 Brigade Support Battalion of the 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry of the Oklahoma Army National Guard, helps Spc. Eric Langley, a mechanic from Hugo, Okla., conduct maintenance on a M-249 Squad Automatic Weapon while deployed to Kuwait in support of the closing phase of Operation New Dawn in Iraq.  

CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT

11.20.2011

Courtesy Story

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait - Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Ray McDougal has served 24 years in the military, while holding four different military occupational specialties. Military Police, Heavy Equipment Operator, Cavalry Scout and his current MOS is Supply Sergeant.

McDougal is on his fifth deployment currently at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. Prior deployments include; Saudi Arabia, Panama, Belize and Afghanistan.

McDougal’s job as the supply sergeant is critical for insuring soldiers have the proper equipment, gear and supplies needed to complete each mission. His job includes providing things such as paper, pens, office supplies, weapons, vehicles and ammunition.

“Our support for the troop’s movement out of Iraq is a worthy mission,” said McDougal.

McDougal is from McAlester, Okla., and has been the husband of Cleola McDougal for 22 years. They have two daughters.

“My family is the most important thing to me," said McDougal. He talks often about missing his family.

After returning from deployment McDougal plans on being the readiness Non-Commissioned Officer of D Company 700 FSC, for two years and then retiring from the military.

• Date Taken: 11.20.2011
• Date Posted: 11.20.2011 09:06
• Story ID: 80294
• Location: CAMP BUEHRING, KW