Complete Living Concepts CEO Serving in the Army Reserves

Sergeant Travis McCorkendale grew up in Independence, MO and graduated from William Chrisman High School. He enlisted into the Army Reserves in 1997 to be an Army Firefighter (12M).  He trained as a combat lifesaver, trauma and life support, Driver and Pump Operator, high angle rescue, and fire science. He spent six years in the 467^th Eng. Det (FF) Army Reserve unit in Gardner City, KS.  The unit deployed to Kosovo in October 1999 to 2000 May. SGT McCorkendale worked as a firefighter while assigned to the 467^th.  Their mission was to protect army aircraft and structures. Along with protecting army assists the 467^th also provided fire protection for the local Kosovo community in their area of operation. When he returned from Kosovo he worked in construction and attended Longview Community College for business and fire science on the Army’s tuition assistance program.

 

In March 2003 he deployed to Iraq with the 467^th Eng. Det (FF) as a firefighter Sgt. The mission was to establish, coordinate, and develop emergency response systems with all emergency service for the U.S. Army on LSA Anaconda near Balad Iraq.  Along with protect military aircraft and assets, they were tasks to help local government official est. and develop emergency response systems for their towns. “We established fire and emergency response capabilities. “   When he returned from Iraq he started his own construction company Complete Living Concepts in Peculiar, MO.  He started his business by registering with the Veterans Administrations Small Business program.

Sergeant McCorkendale re-enlisted in the Army Reserves in 2012 to take advantage of the family benefits, Tri-Care, and the G.I. Bill.  He chose to transfer his G.I. Bill to his daughter.  For this re-enlistment he changed his job to a combat engineer (12B) assigned to the 348^th Engineer Company in Belton, MO.  Since being assigned to the high-speed 348^th he has HELOCAST (jump) out of helicopters, earned Army combative certification, placed 2^nd in the Best Warrior competition-this means accomplishing 32 warrior tasks and marched 22 miles. He has attended the Warrior Leaders Course, enrolled in the U.S. Army Advanced Leaders Course, starting U.S Army Explosives Ordinance Clearing course, and training for the toughest of engineer schools…the coveted U.S. Army Sapper Leadership Course to attend in March 2014.

He said the Reserves gave him the flexibility to serve the Nation, go to school, and hold a civilian career. He continued, “To grow professionally with leader support”.  He said Army training can advance civilian careers such as firefighters, EMT, police, plumbers, electricians, mechanics, construction, and heavy equipment operators. 

Sergeant McCorkendale is married with a little girl and has another on the way. He plans to stay in the Army Reserves and retire.

By Fred Hermstein

Army Public Affairs