Jimmy Nance
By Erin Smith
A former National Guardsman has officially retired following 20 years of service. Jimmy Nance of Clarkton officially retired from the NC National Guard in 2017.
Nance enlisted as an active duty soldier in the US Army in August 1987 and served for four years.
“At that point (when he enlisted), I was 18 years old,” said Nance. He added that over time and following getting married, Nance said he realized he missed home.
After his four year enlistment ended, Nance said he chose not to re-enlist and returned home to Clarkton. While in Clarkton, he said he worked at various jobs, but he still had the heart of a soldier.
“I missed the military, but I wasn’t ready to make a full-time commitment,” said Nance.
After giving it careful thought, Nance said he decided to give the North Carolina National Guard a try. In March 1994, he enlisted into the National Guard for one year with the option to re-enlist. He began his National Guard career on a part-time basis and soon decided he wanted to go full-time. A short while later, a full-time position became available in Whiteville and he became the training NCO for the unit. Nance said his National Guard career quickly took off from there.
He said there were many different events and deployments in which he was able to participate.
“I walked in waist deep water carrying water to those who were without water during Hurricane Floyd,” said Nance.
During Hurricane Matthew, Nance said he acted as a liaison in Kinston with the State Emergency Management team.
He also was deployed for a time to Iraq. Nance said while in Iraq, he assisted soldiers who were installing wells in areas that had never had access to a well. He also noted that many Iraqi citizens do not have refrigerators so everything is consumed fresh.
Nance said he has also seen the worst people can do, through his deployment, too.
He said of his time spent serving his country, one of the most interesting things he got to do was to see the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea.
Nance has also seen the Tigris and Euphrates rivers while he was serving on deployment to Iraq.
“I actually got to swim in it,” said Nance.
He was also in close proximity to many places described in the Bible. Nance said, at one point, his unit was in close proximity to ancient Babylon.
Nance said he was also close to an area that some people believe to be the location of the Garden of Eden. This area often referred to as the fertile crescent and Nance said following his deployment there, it is easy to see why.
“My experience with it was, if you put water on it, you can grow anything,” said Nance.
He said of his time spent in both the US Army and the NC National Guard, Nance said he hopes he made a difference. He said he would strongly encourage anyone who is considering service with the National Guard to pursue it.
“The college benefits are out there for them. Part-time Guards men and women can now get health and dental insurance,” said Nance. He also noted that with the National Guard, you can attend college, serve in the National Guard and receive benefits, all at the same time.
While in service, Nance received several awards and medals. They were the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3 times), Army Achievement medal (3 times), Good Conduct Medal (5 times), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2 times), Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal (2 times awarded with Mobilization Device), Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (2 times), Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon (three times), North Carolina National Guard Meritorious Service Medal, North Carolina National Guard Commendation Medal (third award), North Carolina National Guard Achievement Medal (third award), North Carolina National Guard Active Duty Ribbon, North Carolina National Guard Service Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation –Iraq 2009, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Gunner Identification Badge, and Driver/Mechanic Badge with Wheel Device.
His official retirement date was October 1, 2017 and his last official position was as Assistant Operations in Clinton. Nance said, currently, he is enjoying being retired. As for his future plans, he is considering using his GI Bill to complete his four-year college degree.
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