Keith L. Craig

Keith Craig
Born (1969-11-29) November 29, 1969
Mobile, Alabama, United States
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service 1987–Present (29years)
Rank Sergeant Major, US Army
Awards Bronze Star(3)
Meritorious Service Medal (2)
Army Commendation Medal (2)
Army Achievement Medal (6)

Keith L. Craig[1] (born November 29, 1969) is the current Exchange Senior Enlisted Advisor and former professional football player in the National Football league, (Europe). Sergeant Major Craig is the 12th Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commander and The Exchange CEO, of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service, AAFES, for Europe and South West Asia Region.

The Exchange is the 47th largest retail organization in the U.S. with annual revenue of $10B. The Exchange employs more than 43,000 civilians on military installations throughout the 50 states, five U.S. territories, and more than 30 countries. In Europe, the Middle East, Central and Southwest Asia, the Exchange employs more than 6,500 civilians spread-out over 1,100 facilities located throughout 21 countries.

Craig serves as the liaison between the Exchange leadership and 500,000 soldiers, airmen, sailors, marines, DOD civilians, and authorized patrons. Craig is the ambassador of the Exchange in Europe & Southwest Asia Region, providing essential support to the war fighters, enhancing expeditionary capabilities, and interacting with the highest strategic levels within the Department of Defense and the U.S. State Department

Early life

A native of Mobile, Alabama,[2] born to Patricia Dock, he attended Vigor High School and graduated from Choctaw County High School, Butler, Alabama, class of 1987. He entered the United States Army on 21 June 1987.

Military career

Craig is Combat Veteran of Operation [1] Joint Endeavor, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Unified Response, and Operation Enduring Freedom.

In Operation Enduring Freedom,[3] SGM Craig served as Support Operation Sergeant Major for Sustainment Brigade providing Direct Supply support and Services t to US and Coalition forces operating in Afghanistan Theater.

During his assignment to Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, 7th Special Troop Battalion Sergeant Major,[4] he deployed to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Operation Unified Response, in support of multinational Humanitarian Assistance. SGM Craig coordinated Disaster relief efforts with USAID (United States Agency for International Development) and World Food Programme to deliver 13,703 tons of rice, provided 17 million MREs, Meal, Ready-to-Eat, to 2.98 million Haitians at the request of World Food Program.

While assigned to United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Fort Bliss, Texas. Craig served as Education Advisor, Small Group Leader, and Operations Sergeant Major.

In support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Craig served as First Sergeant, 302nd Military Intelligence BN, Camp Anaconda, Iraq and Camp Doha, Kuwait.

While Assigned to Wiesbaden Army Air Field, Camp Pieria, Germany, Craig served as Section Chief assigned to 3/32nd FA Battalion, served as Supply Sergeant.

Other leadership positions held include: Platoon Sergeant, G3 Operations NCO for 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) formerly 3rd COSCOM, and Special Troops Battalion S-4, Non Commissioned Officer in Charge.

Deployed as part of a multinational peacekeeping Implementation Force Kaposvar, Hungary, Operation Joint Endeavor, SGT Craig was assigned to, 3rd Logistic Support Command, Unit Supply NCOIC Brigade S-4 NCOIC, 205th Military Intelligence Brigade (United States) Brigade.

Education

Craig has successfully completed:[5]

Craig was also recognized as a Logistical Engineer by the North Carolina Department of Labor, and earned a Baccalaureate Degree (Psychology) from Excelsior College in Albany, NY.[7]

Awards

SGM Craig has earned 51 awards and decorations.[1] They include:

 Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf clusters (Third award)
 Meritorious Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf clusters
 Army Commendation Medal with one silver leaf clusters
 Army Achievement Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Superior Unit Award
Army Good Conduct Medal Ninth awards
Bronze star
Bronze star
 National Defense Service Medal with two service star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Bronze star
Bronze star
 Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
 Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign stars
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Bronze star
Bronze star
 Armed Forces Service Medal with two service stars
Humanitarian Service Medal
NCO Professional Development with award numeral 4
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon with award numeral 7
NATO Medal

SGM Craig has been recognized as a Distinguished Member of the Quartermaster Regiment and awarded the coveted Distinguished Order of Saint Martin Medallion as well as the Prestigious Order of Saint Christopher.

Football career

Craig is a former professional football player whose career spanned over a decade. He is six time division champion.

Keith L Craig Card Stat
Keith Craig with GM Oliver Luck

Continental Sports Conference (CSC)

Wiesbaden Flyers In 1989, Craig played for the Wiesbaden Flyers and competed in the USAFE's Continental Sports Conference from 1989-1990 and in 1993. In 1990, while playing for the Wiesbaden flyers he was described as the “premier receiver in the league” by Stars and Stripes (newspaper).[8]

Rheinmain Rockets In 1993, while playing for Rheinmain Rockets, Craig was named CSC All-conference wide receiver, and voted MVP of the Championship game. He also broke the CSC receiving records with 63 catches for 1,160 yards and 9 touchdowns.[9]

Frankfurt Galaxy

In May 1991, Craig was scouted by John Ralston [10] former coach of the Denver Broncos from 1972 to 1976. From 1991-92, Craig played Professional Football for the Frankfurt Galaxy (NFL Europe) head coached by Jack Elway. Craig played wide receiver for two seasons under head coach Jack Elway (John Elway’s Father and current Executive Vice President of football operations for the Broncos of the National Football League) and General Manager Oliver Luck,[11] former Athletic Director of West Virginia University and father of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck and retired NFL quarterback of the Houston Oilers (1982–1986).

Teammates from 1991 Frankfurt Galaxy season include Tony Baker a former professional American football running back who played for the Cleveland Browns and Phoenix Cardinals,[12] David Diaz-Infante, Chad Fortune, Tony Adams, Steve Bartalo, Mike Perez, Alex Espinoza, Mark Mraz, and Mike Teeter.

Bundesliga

Craig played for multilple teams and had a well-traveled football career. He played for the Aschaffenburg Stallions, Rüsselsheim Razorbacks, and Hanau Hawks, winning two Southern Division Championships with Aschaffenburg Stallions and three with Russelsheim Razorbacks. In 1994, he was the League's leading scorer for the Rüsselsheim Razorbacks. He also played one season in France, for the Nancy Tigers.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Military Personnel Records". Archives.gov. 2011-10-19. Retrieved 2013-11-21.
  2. ↑ "Vital Records - Birth Certificates". Adph.org. Retrieved 2013-11-21.
  3. ↑ "SGM Keith Craig by Hector Rivera: Biographies & Memoirs | Blurb Books". Blurb.com. Retrieved 2013-11-21.
  4. ↑ "7th Special Troops Battalion welcomes new command sergeant - Peninsula Warrior: Official News Publication Serving Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia: The military authorized and official news, sports, photography and entertainment publication of Fort Eustis and Langley Air Force Base, Virginia.: Top Stories". Peninsula Warrior. 2010-09-24. Retrieved 2013-11-21.
  5. ↑ "Tuition Assistance Online, Anytime, Anywhere". GoArmyEd. Retrieved 2013-11-21.
  6. ↑ "Contact Us". Usasma.bliss.army.mil. 2013-06-24. Retrieved 2013-11-21.
  7. ↑ "Army Logistics University". Alu.army.mil. 1980-01-01. Retrieved 2013-11-21.
  8. ↑ "Wiesbaden Flyers". Stars and Stripes. August 2, 1990.
  9. ↑ "Wiesbaden Flyers". Stars and Stripes. November 26, 1993.
  10. ↑ "WLAF exercises Galaxy contract options". Stars and Stripes. May 30, 1991.
  11. ↑ "Galaxy's Craig aims to apply lessons of '91options". Stars and Stripes. November 29, 1991.
  12. ↑ "Baker running to new loop's 'green light'". Stars and Stripes. March 12, 1991.
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