Joel Pruitt

Master Sgt. Joel C. Pruitt

 24 years - United States Army

BIOGRAPHY

Pruitt served 24 years of active duty in the United States Army, including extensive service with the 5th Special Forces Group at Fort Campbell.
His military career included five combat tours in Iraq and deployments to Somalia, Panama, Qatar, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Djibouti, and Kenya.
His service has been recognized with five Bronze Star Medals, the Combat Infantry Badge with Star (2nd award), and numerous other decorations.
A 2017 APSU graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Pruitt has been instrumental in establishing four scholarship endowments at APSU specifically for Special Forces personnel and their families. As president of Chapter 38 of the Special Forces Association, he collaborated in 2023 with Retired CW4 Joe Shakeenab to create the CSM(R) Francis McFadden Military Scholarship.
Since 2021, Pruitt has served as the director for the Pivot Program at 5th Special Forces Group, directly assisting over 500 service members with their transition to civilian life. His dedication to veteran causes earned him the Charlie Daniels Patriot Award in 2022 and the titles of Kentucky Colonel and Tennessee Colonel Aide-de-camp in 2023.

A blessing in life

Finding the perfect woman in the chaos of life and war is a blessing I can't express. It's something that grounds me and allows me to walk with calm. Married in 2004, a peaceful life emerged.

MSG Joel Pruitt was born in Atlanta, GA on 3 March 1967. He Graduated from Cherokee High School in Canton, GA in 1985 and immediately joined the US Army. He served as a Power Generation Equipment Repairman for HHC 2nd BN 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the 82nd Airborne Division. In December 1992 Joel completed Special Forces training at Fort Bragg, NC and was assigned to 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Fort Campbell, KY.
Assignment Highlights:
In 1993 MSG Pruitt deployed to Somalia for Operation Restore Hope, with 5th Special Forces Group as the only Communications Sergeant on ODA 593 and member of a sniper/observer team. From then Until 1998 he participated in multiple training deployments and schools to include Tank Commander’s Course and the Mountain Warfare course in Jericho, VT where he was the first ever Special Forces Honor Graduate. Joel joined the civilian workforce in 1998 working as a Driver manager and Office manager for two trucking companies. He rejoined the Army in the aftermath of the 911 terrorist attacks. He served 5 tours in Iraq and he also served 3 years as an instructor at the Senior Leaders Course. MSG Pruitt served as the Team Sergeant for ODA 5432 from June 2009- December 2012. MSG Pruitt has deployed to Panama, Qatar, Somalia, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Djibouti, Kenya, and Iraq.
Awards and Decorations:
MSG Pruitt was awarded The Special Forces Tab, Combat Infantry Badge with Star (2nd award), 5 Bronze Star Medals, 2 Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, 6 Army Commendation Medals, 4 Army Achievement Medals, Iraq Campaign Medal with 5 stars, South West Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, United Nations Somalia Medal, Parachute Badge, Master Parachute Badge, Military Freefall Badge, Military Freefall Jumpmaster Badge, Chilean Parachute Badge, Irish Parachute Badge, Qatar Parachute Badge, German Parachute Badge and Canadian Parachute Badge.
Military and Civilian Education:
MSG Joel Pruitt earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Austin Peay State University in TN graduating Magna Cum Laude. Prior to that he earned an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Coastline Community College in California graduating with Honors and He has also attended the Dale Carnegie course on Human Relations, Principles of Persuasion Workshop, Leadership Using the Science of Influence workshop. MSG Pruitt is a graduate of all NCOES schools up to the Senior Leaders Course, Special Forces Communications Sergeant Qualification Course, Advance International Morse Code, Airborne School, Jumpmaster School, Military Freefall School, Military Freefall Jumpmaster, Combatives Level I, II and III, Special Operations Combatives Level I, Persian Farsi Special Operations Language School, Basic Instructor Training, Small Group Instructor Training, Instructor Certified through the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Mountain Warfare Course, Tank Commanders Course, Direct Action Resource Center, MidSouth Institute.
Civilian Awards:
In 2022 MSG(R) Joel Pruitt was awarded the Charlie Daniels Patriot award for his work with veteran’s causes. In 2023 MSG(R) Pruitt was awarded both the Titles of Kentucky Colonel and Tennessee Colonel Aide-de-camp.
Volunteer efforts:
2022-Present Mr Joel Pruitt is the current President of Chapter 38 of the
Special Forces Association.
2016-2020 he served as Vice President for Chapter 38.
2017-Present Joel serves on the Advisory board for the Charlie Daniels Journey Home Project
Employment:
Joel currently serves as the Pivot Program Director at 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) where he assist Soldiers as they transition back to civilian life.