Sergeant Major Joey L. Love entered the military Oct. 9, 1985 as a Lance Missile Crewmember and reclassified as a Tacfire Operations Specialist May 4, 1992.
His assignments include: C Btry 2ndBn 42nd Field Artillery, Crailsheim, Germany; HHB 1st Bn 30th Field Artillery Regiment (Gunnery Department) Fort Sill, Okla.; A Btry 1stBn 32nd Field Artillery Regiment Hanau, Germany; HHB 5thBn 8th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Bragg, NC; HHB 8thBn 8th Field Artillery Regiment, Camp Casey, Korea; HHB 1stBn 321st Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Bragg, NC; HHB 18th Airborne Field Artillery Brigade, Fort Bragg, NC; JRTC, Fort Polk, LA; Battalion Fire Control NCO, Battalion Operations Sergeant, C Btry 1SG, HHB 1SG and CSM for 3rdBn 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Bragg, NC.
His previous duty positions include: Launcher Specialist, Theodolite Operator, Gunner, Lance Missile Section Chief, Tacfire Computer Operator, Battalion Fire Direction Chief, Battalion and Brigade Fire Control NCO, Observer/Controller, Battalion Operations Sergeant, Battery 1st Sergeant, Battalion and Brigade Combat Team (1BCT/82nd Airborne Division) Command Sergeant Major. He has four combat tours—two to Iraq and two to Afghanistan.
Sgt. Maj. Love’s military education includes: PLDC (Commandant’s List), BNCOC (Honor Graduate), ANCOC (Distinguished Honor Graduate), Basic Airborne School, Jumpmaster School, Air Assault School, Rappel Master School, NBC Course, EO Representative Course, Unit Alcohol and Drug Coordinator Course, Battle Staff NCO Course, Master Driver Course, Advanced Tactical Data System Course, and the Sergeants Major Academy. He also obtained an Associate’s Degree from Central Texas College and a Bachelor’s Degree from Excelsior University.
His awards and decorations include: the Combat Action Badge, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with three Oak Leaf Cluster , Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with one Silver Leaf Cluster and one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with one Silver Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal 9th Award, National Defense Service Ribbon with Bronze Service Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign stars, Iraqi Campaign Medal with two Campaign stars, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 4, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral 5, and NATO Medal. His special skill awards include Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Driver/Mechanics Badge with wheel, track, and mechanics clasp. His foreign awards include the German Schutzenschnur (silver) and the Australian Parachutist Badge. He has also been inducted into the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara.
Sgt. Maj. Love is married to the former Valerie Ann Lowery and they have two children—Bruce (stepson) and Joey Jr. He also has two children from a previous marriage—Nicole and Lashawnda—and three granddaughters—Isaiah, Darylah and Zierra.