Alex Schaeffer Active Duty
Specialist, Assistant Squad Leader
Specialty
19D
Unit
Alpha Company, Second Platoon, First Squad
(1/2/A-Co, 1-2 IN)
Position
Assistant Squad Leader
Supervisors
- SSG Matthew Marsh
Time in service
7 months, 6 days
Time in grade
3 months, 4 days
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S3 - Operations - Force Improvement Group
- 11B1H - Range Safety Officer
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| May 9, 2026 | Attended Land Navigation Course #26-04 as Co-Instructor | |
| Apr 11, 2026 | Graduated SDM Course #26-01 | |
| Apr 4, 2026 | Attended Alpha Company Annual Rifle Requalification's (ACARR) #26-03 2nd Platoon and 3rd Platoon as Range Safety Officer | |
| Mar 28, 2026 | Graduated AIR ASSAULT SCHOOL #26-01 | |
| Mar 28, 2026 | Attended Alpha Company Annual Rifle Requalification's (ACARR) #26-01 S3-FIG as Range Safety Officer | |
| Mar 28, 2026 | Attended Alpha Company Annual Rifle Requalification's (ACARR) #26-01 S3-FIG as Range Safety Officer | |
| Mar 17, 2026 | Force Improvement Group: Hired as Range Safety Officer (11B1H) | |
| Mar 14, 2026 | Graduated Land Navigation Course #26-02 | |
| Dec 7, 2025 | Graduated PRIVATE OSUT CLASS (ARMA 3) | |
| Dec 4, 2025 | Enlisted on 12/04/2025 |
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Award
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| Jul 5, 2026 | Army Achievement Medal (AAM) |
Award Document With Combat "C" Device
Army Achievement Medal (AAM) medal with Combat "C" Device. Specialist Alex Schaeffer The Secretary of the Army has reposed special trust and confidence in your patriotism, valor, fidelity and professional excellence. In view of these qualities, your demonstrated leadership potential, and dedicated service to the United States Army and the unit, you are, therefore, awarded the Army Achievement Medal (AAM). Awarded: Jul 5, 2026 Signed: Major John LaFlash
Record Text
Specialist A.Schaeffer distinguished himself by acts of heroism while engaged in combat operations against enemy forces during Operation Hurricane. As friendly defensive positions came under sustained and overwhelming enemy attack, SPC Schaeffer voluntarily assumed control of an unarmoured M2-equipped HMMWV abandoned by another platoon. With complete disregard for his own safety, he and his driver repeatedly engaged enemy forces on five separate occasions under intense hostile fire. Employing the vehicle's M2 .50-caliber machine gun with exceptional skill and determination, SPC Schaeffer drew enemy fire away from withdrawing friendly forces while delivering devastating suppressive fires. His actions resulted in disabling a hostile BTR which allowed the squad to kill it. This further allowed the elimination of at least two enemy squads, and the suppression of multiple enemy platoons enabling the squads to kill the enemy forces. Maintaining exceptional situational awareness throughout the engagement, he successfully manoeuvred the vehicle clear of enemy indirect fire, preserving a critical combat asset. SPC Schaeffer's courageous actions provided the time necessary for Warlocks to successfully break contact with enemy forces. His extraordinary heroism, selfless service, and unwavering devotion to duty were instrumental in the safe withdrawal of numerous friendly soldiers and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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| Jun 7, 2026 | Combat Action Badge (CAB1) |
Award Document
Combat Action Badge (CAB1) Specialist Alex Schaeffer The Secretary of the Army has reposed special trust and confidence in your patriotism, valor, fidelity and professional excellence. In view of these qualities, your demonstrated leadership potential, and dedicated service to the United States Army and the unit, you are, therefore, awarded the Combat Action Badge (CAB1). Awarded: Jun 7, 2026 Signed: Major John LaFlash |
| Jun 7, 2026 | Overseas Service Bar |
Award Document
Overseas Service Bar Specialist Alex Schaeffer The Secretary of the Army has reposed special trust and confidence in your patriotism, valor, fidelity and professional excellence. In view of these qualities, your demonstrated leadership potential, and dedicated service to the United States Army and the unit, you are, therefore, awarded the Overseas Service Bar. Awarded: Jun 7, 2026 Signed: Major John LaFlash |
| May 3, 2026 | Army Achievement Medal (AAM) |
Award Document
Army Achievement Medal (AAM) Specialist Alex Schaeffer The Secretary of the Army has reposed special trust and confidence in your patriotism, valor, fidelity and professional excellence. In view of these qualities, your demonstrated leadership potential, and dedicated service to the United States Army and the unit, you are, therefore, awarded the Army Achievement Medal (AAM). Awarded: May 3, 2026 Signed: Major John LaFlash
Record Text
During the Company Evaluation, SPC Schaeffer demonstrated excellence and initiative while assisting the Platoon Sergeant, who was serving as the Platoon Leader. At critical points throughout the operation, SPC Schaeffer voluntarily assisted the Platoon Sergeant by providing security and scouting with the Warlocks without being directed to do so. His actions in maintaining security and providing early warning of an ambush directly contributed to the platoon’s ability to accomplish the mission. Without SPC Schaeffer’s assistance, there was a greater risk that the Platoon Sergeant could have been taken out, causing a breakdown in communication within the 2nd Platoon’s command structure. SPC Alex Schaeffer’s actions and performance shows the highest levels of integrity, duty, and intuition within his role as a cavalry scout in the 3rd Infantry Division. For these reasons, SPC Alex Schaeffer will be awarded the Army Achievement Medal.
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| Apr 5, 2026 | Air Assault Badge |
Award Document
Air Assault Badge Specialist Alex Schaeffer The Secretary of the Army has reposed special trust and confidence in your patriotism, valor, fidelity and professional excellence. In view of these qualities, your demonstrated leadership potential, and dedicated service to the United States Army and the unit, you are, therefore, awarded the Air Assault Badge. Awarded: Apr 5, 2026 Signed: Major John LaFlash |
| Apr 5, 2026 | Good Conduct Medal (GCM) |
Award Document
Good Conduct Medal (GCM) Specialist Alex Schaeffer The Secretary of the Army has reposed special trust and confidence in your patriotism, valor, fidelity and professional excellence. In view of these qualities, your demonstrated leadership potential, and dedicated service to the United States Army and the unit, you are, therefore, awarded the Good Conduct Medal (GCM). Awarded: Apr 5, 2026 Signed: Major John LaFlash |
| Dec 6, 2025 | Army Service Ribbon (ASR) |
Award Document With Valor "V" Device
Army Service Ribbon (ASR) medal with Valor "V" Device. Specialist Alex Schaeffer The Secretary of the Army has reposed special trust and confidence in your patriotism, valor, fidelity and professional excellence. In view of these qualities, your demonstrated leadership potential, and dedicated service to the United States Army and the unit, you are, therefore, awarded the Army Service Ribbon (ASR). Awarded: Dec 6, 2025 Signed: Major John LaFlash
Record Text
Graduated Private One Station Unit Training with Honors
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| Dec 6, 2025 | Marksmanship Badge (Expert) |
Award Document
Marksmanship Badge (Expert) Specialist Alex Schaeffer The Secretary of the Army has reposed special trust and confidence in your patriotism, valor, fidelity and professional excellence. In view of these qualities, your demonstrated leadership potential, and dedicated service to the United States Army and the unit, you are, therefore, awarded the Marksmanship Badge (Expert). Awarded: Dec 6, 2025 Signed: Major John LaFlash |
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| Jul 5, 2026 | Operation Wet Feet - Georgia: Mission Low Tide | |
| Jun 21, 2026 | Operation Wet Feet - Georgia: Mission Hurricane | |
| Jun 14, 2026 | Operation Wet Feet - Georgia: Mission Tugboat | |
| May 25, 2026 | Operation Wet Feet - Georgia: Mission Trident | |
| May 3, 2026 | Operation Wet Feet - Georgia: Mission Flying Fish |
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Rank
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| Apr 5, 2026 | |
Promotion |
Promotion Document
Certificate of Promotion TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETING: Know Ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the fidelity and abilities of Alex Schaeffer I do promote them to Specialist in the UNITED STATES ARMY to grade as such from the date of Apr 5, 2026
You will discharge carefully and diligently the duties of the grade to which promoted and uphold the traditions and standards of the Army. Signed: Major John LaFlash |
| Dec 6, 2025 |  |
Promotion |
Promotion Document
Certificate of Promotion TO ALL WHO SHALL SEE THESE PRESENTS, GREETING: Know Ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the fidelity and abilities of Alex Schaeffer I do promote them to Private First Class in the UNITED STATES ARMY to grade as such from the date of Dec 6, 2025
You will discharge carefully and diligently the duties of the grade to which promoted and uphold the traditions and standards of the Army. Signed: Major John LaFlash |
| Dec 4, 2025 |  |
Promotion |
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Qualification
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| Apr 11, 2026 | Squad Designated Marksman Qualified |
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| Mar 28, 2026 | Air Assault Qualified |
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| Mar 14, 2026 | Land Navigation Qualified |
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| Dec 7, 2025 |  Qualified with Rifle (XM7): Expert |
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| Dec 7, 2025 | Qualified with Pistol (M17): Expert |
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| Dec 7, 2025 | Qualified with Grenade (M67): Expert |
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| Dec 7, 2025 | Qualified with AR (M249): Sustained Fire |
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| Dec 7, 2025 | Qualified with AT4 (M136): Expert |
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| Dec 7, 2025 | Qualified with GL (M320): Qualified |