Veteran Story: Shawn Hawkins

Shawn Hawkins retired from the U.S. Army with over 22 years of distinguished service. After graduating from the United States Military Academy with a degree in Civil Engineering, his first assignment was as a Tank Platoon Leader, followed by Battalion Maintenance Officer for the 2nd Battalion-33rd Armored Regiment at Fort Knox, KY. His military career then spanned a variety of logistics assignments over a multitude of locations stateside and overseas. Following the command of Bravo Forward Support Company in the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, TX, Shawn served as the Executive Officer of Combat Equipment Battalion-Kuwait for the Army Material Command at Camp Doha, Kuwait.

Additional assignments and locations include Research and Studies Officer for the Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Monroe, VA, Counter Drug and Drug Demand Reduction Program Manager for the US Army Reserve, and Operations Officer for worldwide mobilization in Support of the Global War on Terror at the Installation Management Agency in Crystal City. While stationed at Fort Bragg, NC, he deployed twice to Operation Iraqi Freedom. First in 2005, as the Battalion Operations Officer (S3) for the 1st Corps Support Command at Balad Airbase, followed by assignment as the Brigade Logistics Officer (S4) for the 46th Corps Support Group (CSG) located on Camp Taji in Baghdad, Iraq.

In 2007, he deployed with the 507th CSG as the Brigade Maintenance Officer to Al Asad Airbase supporting Multi-National Forces-West units located throughout Anbar Province, Iraq. Shortly after his return to stateside, Shawn was assigned to the Pentagon and served in the Army Transformation Office of the Army G3/5/7 (Operations and Mobilization). In 2011, he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While in Afghanistan, he served as the Chief, Human Resource Directorate for the Assistant Commanding General-Police Transition Group, as well as, the Senior Advisor to the Chief of Personnel for the Afghan Police Force. Upon return to the Pentagon, Shawn served as the Chief of Operations for the Army Quadrennial Defense Review Office in the HQDA G-8 (Programs) before retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2014.

Shawn is a Heavy Engineering Equipment Operator with the Roads and Signs Team of the George Washington Memorial Parkway Facility Maintenance Division.

NPS Photo

Shawn is a Heavy Engineering Equipment Operator with the Roads and Signs Team of the George Washington Memorial Parkway Facility Maintenance Division.