SGT Daniel Kekipi

Basic Training & Stateside Duty: South Carolina & Virginia

I joined the United States Army and began my journey with Basic Combat Training in South Carolina. After basic training, I moved to Virginia to learn my initial specialized duties in logistics and water treatment (92W and 92F).

Following my technical training, I was assigned to my first permanent duty station in New York, where I trained and prepared with my unit prior to deploying overseas.

Me with my battle buddies during Basic Combat Training in South Carolina.

Standing tall in Class-B dress uniform at my Basic Training graduation ceremony.

Standing in dress uniform with team members during MOS training in Virginia.

Me during military training.

Outdoor portrait during my early service in Virginia.

Alpha Team squad members posing in dress uniform in Virginia.

Combat Deployment: Iraq Tour

Shortly after arriving in New York, I deployed overseas to Iraq in support of combat operations. During my deployment, I maintained essential supply lines and heavy equipment while adapting to challenging desert field environments.

My official military portrait in front of the American flag.

Our living quarters container setup during deployment in Iraq.

Walking down the corridor of concrete blast walls at our base in Iraq.

Me on duty during my deployment in Iraq.

Standing by heavy equipment during harsh winter conditions in Iraq.

Working alongside unit team members in the yard during deployment in Iraq.

Configuring tactical communications inside a unit vehicle.

Staging inside an armored military vehicle on base in Iraq.

Playing football with friends during downtime on deployment in Iraq.

Returning home safely following my deployment overseas.

Reuniting with my grandfather after returning home from Iraq.

Reunited with my cat, Keiko, after returning home.

Term 2: Signal Communications Duty in Alaska & Honorable Discharge

With my new Signal MOS training complete, I was assigned to my next permanent duty station in Alaska, serving alongside Military Police units. In this role, I built and maintained web platforms, managed accounts for over 1,000 network users, and supported tactical communications systems across the battalion until I honorably completed my seven years of service (ETS).

Landscape photo I took of our Army field campsite overlooking Anchorage, Alaska.

Outfitted in full extreme cold weather gear during my assignment in Alaska.

I drew a Spartan Warrior that was used on a Military Police coin.

Receiving a commendation award while supporting our military police battalion.

In full tactical gear and communications headset during field operations.

My collection of military challenge coins earned throughout my service.