C/LTC BNXO Kareem Nicholas Dockery  graduated SJMS 2003 was declared The Soldier of the Year for 2022 by Military Times Foundation.

Nicholas has received two Silver Stars for gallantry in combat action against an enemy of the United States and two Purple Hearts earned in combat.  A Westpoint graduate, he’s led an Operational Detachment-Alpha and commanded the headquarters company for 7th Special Forces Group before completing a tour as the aide-de-camp to the officer in charge of 1st Special Forces Command.  Dockery’s first Silver Star came during his first deployment to Afghanistan as a fresh infantry platoon leader assigned to 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, part of the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado. Dockery’s platoon was maintaining a security perimeter around the provincial governor’s compound when Taliban fighters attacked with machine guns, grenades and RPGs. 

The second valor award came from a fight in which about 250 Taliban fighters attacked a combined U.S.-Afghan force, and the then-captain’s decisions and rapid response were credited with blunting the attack.

Senior Year,  Nick participated in and/or awarded:

-Chapel Council VP

-Blue Beret

-Course Awards: Philosophy of Ethics, JROTC IV, Government

-Activity Leadership Medal

-The Kennedy Holifield Award (Religion)

-AFI Commander of the Troops

-ROTC Distinguished Award for Scholastic Excellence

-Academic Wreath

-American Legion Medal for Scholastic Excellence

-Football, Track,

-NHS President
Check out this link to hear MAJ Dockery speak of his experience.  Thank you MAJ  Dockery - you are a true American hero!

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