Stephen Pruitt

Stephen enlisted in the Mississippi Army National Guard as a 31B (Military Police) in 1998. He attended both basic training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. During his 16 years of service with the 113th Military Police Company, Stephen deployed overseas on three separate occasions. In 2003, Stephen deployed to Uzbekistan and Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He served on the security task force supporting the Provincial Reconstruction Team based in Kunduz, Afghanistan which supported governmental reconstruction efforts in the once insurgent rich providence. In 2007, Stephen deployed to Samarra, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While in Iraq, Stephen served as a team leader responsible for training local Iraqi Police forces in regard to protecting the community and preventing future insurgency in the city of Samarra. In 2011, Stephen deployed to Camp Buehring, Kuwait in support of Operation New Dawn. Stephen served as a squad leader supporting both security efforts at Khabari Crossing and providing security for EOD teams disposing of munitions returning from Iraq. During his time in the 113th MP Company, Stephen had the privilege to support numerous hurricane evacuation and clean-up efforts on the MS Gulf Coast. Stephen’s military service was marked by numerous awards including the Army Commendation Medal w/ Double Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal w/ Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Action Badge, Army Good Conduct Medal w/ two knot device, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal w/ Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal w/ Bronze Star Device, Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal w/ Double Bronze Star Device, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal w/ Bronze Star Device, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ Mobilization Device, Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon w/ Bronze Numeral 2, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon w/ Bronze Numeral 3, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, Mississippi Emergency Service Medal and Mississippi National Guard Medal of Efficiency.

Stephen attended Mississippi State University in 2000 and later received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from University of Phoenix. Stephen worked at Nissan Motor Company in Canton, MS for 18 years as a Quality Manager and member of the Veteran’s Outreach Committee. Stephen currently works for Milwaukee Tool as a Quality Manager and serves as the Regional Community Impact/ Veteran Outreach coordinator for the greater Jackson area. Stephen’s passion lies in helping others which is what led him into joining 5th Squad. Stephen is also heavily involved with Mississippi Special Olympics where he serves as a Unified Partner in golf and helps coach softball and flag football.

Stephen currently lives in Brandon, MS with his beautiful wife Christina and their two boys, Benjamin (18) and Jace (16) and their daughter Presley (11).