During his last 10 years of service, Curt Ebitz’ unsurpassed commitment and innovative leadership as the Plans and Policy Officer for U.S. Southern Command and as the Executive Officer of the El Salvador National Military Strategy Team dispatched by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger contributed immeasurably to the success of the United States’ security assistance strategy in Central America. As the executive officer of the Army’s “High Tech” Brigade, he played an instrumental role in the development and validations of the U.S. Army’s motorized infantry doctrine. As an infantry battalion commander, Commander, U.S. Army Readiness Group and Senior Army Advisor to the Florida Army National Guard, Curt Ebitz contributed greatly to the effective implementation of the Total Army policy.

Since retirement in June 1992, Curt Ebitz has been deeply committed to assisting his fellow veterans with his deep involvement in veterans’ affairs at the local, state and national levels. As a member of the Ft. Stewart Army Retiree Council for 18 years and the Chief of Staff, Army Retiree Council for six years, he played a major role in favorably addressing and resolving Army retiree issues. His steadfast, personal contributions culminated in Congress passing legislation authorizing military retirees to participate in the DoD Mail Order Pharmacy Program and the approval for PSA prostate cancer screening for male TRICARE beneficiaries. Also, as the report writer for the Chief of Staff, Army Retiree Council, Curt’s framing of the medical issues facing military retirees contributed directly to gaining DoD support for and ultimate congressional approval for the TRICARE for Life program for military retirees and their dependents over age 65. He also has served on the 5th Congressional Veterans Advisory Board since 2004.

At the state level, Curt appointed to the Florida Commission for Veterans Affairs by both Governors Jeb Bush and Charlie Crist with subsequent confirmation by the Florida Senate and served for 10 years. During his tenure on the Commission, Curt was an energetic advocate for Florida veterans. Also, he played a key role in the concept development, design and fundraising strategy for Florida’s World War II Memorial honoring the Greatest Generation. An active supporter of the Memorial, Curt organized a grass root fundraising effort in Citrus County that was the model for other counties.

At the state level for the Department of Florida, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Curt served as the state legislative officer and editor of the Department’s “Purple and White” newsletter from 2006 to 2012. As the state legislative officer, he was an active participant in the Florida Veterans Council that addressed state veterans’ issues and supported state legislation to improve the lives of Florida’s veterans.

At the local level, Curt has been a tireless advocate for veterans and for promoting appreciation by the community at-large for their service to our country. As a founding member of Citrus County’s Veterans Appreciation Committee in 1993, Curt has played a key role each year in planning, coordinating and executing the week’s activities. As the Week’s chairman for its first eight years, Curt instituted a Veterans Day parade, which he singularly organized and promoted for 16 years. He also gained the school district’s acceptance and support for a model Veterans in the Classroom Program, which has grown from seven classroom visits by veterans at its inception to close to 200 classroom visits presently.

One of the most significant initiatives by Curt was his founding of the Citrus County Veterans Foundation, which is a 501(c) (3) organization that provides emergency financial grant assistance to needy honorably discharged veterans or their surviving spouses. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised and disbursed over a quarter of a million dollars to needy Citrus County veterans or their surviving spouses.

A Purple Heart recipient, Curt founded the Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776 Military Order of the Purple Heart. As the chapter’s first commander for several years, he instituted activities to promote the visibility of the Purple Heart Medal within the community and to support charitable activities for the benefit of local veterans. He continues to faithfully serve the chapter by holding several officer positions and as the editor of the chapter newsletter.

Curt Ebitz is a recognized community leader who has been deeply involved in the civic life of the Citrus County community since his retirement from the Army in 1992. As a relatively new resident of the county, Curt was selected to participate in the county’s first strategic visioning exercise to develop a long range plan for guiding Citrus County to the year 2020. Curt participated as the growth management focus group leader and played a key role in defining a vision for 2020 and developing a comprehensive strategy. This led him to be a founding member and president of the strategic visioning organization Citrus 20/20, which is a 501(c) (3) entity.

Curt also co-founded the Citrus 20/20 Inc’s Save Our Waters Week in 1996 and was its initial chairman for approximately eight years. As the chairman, he shepherded the week to become one of Citrus County’s most important and comprehensive initiatives for promoting citizen awareness, appreciation and action to save Citrus County’s water resources.

In sum, Curt Ebitz has dedicated his life to serving our country, the State of Florida and the Citrus County community with selfless dedication and personal distinction.

Summary of Education and Training Accomplishments:

Civilian Education:

Bachelor of Arts, University of Pittsburgh, 1964; Master of Arts, University of Pittsburgh, 1972; Master of Military Art and Science, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, 1975; Organizational Development Executive Training Program, University of California, Los Angeles, 1976.

Military Education:

U.S. Army Infantry Officer Basic Course, 1964; U.S. Army Ranger School, 1965; U.S. Army Airborne School, 1965; 101st Airborne Division Jumpmaster School, 1965; 101st Airborne Division Chemical, Bacteriological and Radiological School, 1965; U.S. Army Infantry Officer Advanced Course, 1969; Assistant Professor of Military Science, University of Pittsburgh, 1972-74; U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, 1974-75; Industrial College of the Armed Forces National Security Management Course, 1976; U.S. Army Armor School Senior Officer Preventive Logistics Course, 1977; Department of Defense Language Institute, 1979 (Spanish), 1978-79; U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Institute Interdepartmental Seminar, 1979; Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management Course, 1980; Jungle Warfare School, 1982; National War College, 1985-86 (U.S. Government post-graduate school for senior military and civilian officials).

Training Accomplishments:

Army ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate, 1964; Parachutist Badge, 1965; Ranger Tab,
1965; Commandant’s List, U.S. Army Infantry Officer Advanced Course, 1970; Commandant’s List, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, 1975; Senior Parachutist Badge, 1977; Jungle Warfare Badge, 1982.

Summary of Nominee’s Professional or Employment History:

Professional History:

During his 28-year Army career, Curt held key command and staff assignments to include: Rifle Platoon Leader, 101st Airborne Division, 1965; Rifle Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer, 25th Infantry Division (Vietnam), 1966-67; Executive Officer, Student Detachment, Military District of Washington, 1967-68; Personnel Management Officer, Military District of Washington, 1968-69; Rifle Company Commander and Battalion Adjutant, 173d Airborne Brigade (Vietnam), 1969-70; Assistant Professor of Military Science, University of Pittsburgh, 1972-74; Organizational Effectiveness Staff Officer, XVIII Airborne Corps, 1975-76; Infantry Battalion Executive Officer and Brigade Adjutant, 82d Airborne Division, 1976-78; Plans and Policy Officer, U.S. Southern Command (Panama), 1978-82; Infantry Battalion Commander and Brigade Executive Officer, 9th Infantry Division, 1982-85; Commander, U.S. Army Readiness Group Puerto Rico, 1986-89; Senior Army Advisor to The Adjutant General, Florida Army National Guard, 1989-92.

Employment History:

Lecturer in Political Science, Duquesne University, 1973-74; Adjunct Professor, Organizational Management, Campbell University, 1975-77; Adjunct Faculty, Political Science, Pasco-Hernando Community College, 1993-2006; Adjunct Faculty, Political Science, Central Florida Community College, 1999-2008; Editorial Board Member & Editorial Writer, Citrus County Chronicle, 1999-Present.

Professional Publication:

Tank-Attack Helicopter in the European Mid-Intensity Conflict Environment: An Operational Effectiveness Analysis of Competitiveness/Compatibility (Paperback), Publisher: BiblioScholar, September 2012. Available on amazon.com HERE.

Summary of Nominee’s Advocacy on Behalf of Veterans:

Veterans Advocacy:

Member, Fort Stewart Army Retiree Council, 1992-2010; Member and Vice Chairman, Citrus County Veterans Affairs Advisory Board, 1993-1995; Charter Member and Past Chairman, Citrus County Veterans Appreciation Week Committee, 1993-Present; Citrus County Veterans Day Parade Organizer, 1993-2008; Member & Report Writer, Chief of Staff, Army Retiree Council, 1994-1997; Special Assistant, Chief of Staff Army Retiree Council, 1998-1999; Commissioner, Florida Commission on Veterans’ Affairs, 1999-2008 (Appointed by Governors Bush and Crist); Founder, Past Commander, Adjutant, Newsletter Editor, Aaron A. Weaver Chapter 776 Military Order of the Purple Heart, 2004-Present; Founder and Vice President, Citrus County Veterans Foundation, Inc., 2004-Present; Florida 5th Congressional District Veterans Advisory Board (2004-Present); State Legislative Officer, Department of Florida, Military Order of the Purple Heart, 2005-2012; Editor, Purple & White Newsletter, Department of Florida, Military Order of the Purple Heart, 2005- 2012; Member, Florida Veterans Council, 2008-2012; Member, Florida Veterans Leaders’ Forum, 2010-13.

Key Contributions (As member/special assistant, Chief of Staff, Army Retiree Council):

Congressional approval for military retirees and their dependents to participate in the DoD Mail Order Pharmacy Program; Congressional approval for TRICARE for Life for military retirees and their dependents; TRICARE insurance coverage for PSA screening for prostate cancer.

Membership Veterans and Military Organizations:

Life Member, Military Order of the Purple Heart; Life Member, 82d Airborne Division Association; Life Member, Florida National Guard Officers Association; The Military Officers Association of America; Citrus County Veterans Coalition; Past Member, National Association for Uniformed Services.

Summary of Nominee’s Civic Activities and Contributions:

5th Congressional District Service Academy Review Board, 1993-Present; Past Member and Secretary, Citrus County Republican Executive Committee, 1993-1998; Citrus County Republican Precinct Committeeman, 1993-1998; Charter Member and Past President, Citrus 20/20, Inc., 1996 -Present; Co-Founder, Past Chairman and Member, Save Our Waters Committee, 1996-Present; Member and Past Vice President and Past Secretary, North Suncoast Republican Club, 1992-Present; Regent, United Way of Citrus County, 1997; Guest Member, Editorial Board, Citrus County Chronicle, 1998; Citizen Member, Editorial Board Citrus County Chronicle, 1999-Present; Member, Progress Energy Florida Community Working Group, 2007-08; Member U.S. Senator Bill Nelson Service Academy Review Board, 2008-Present.

Awards and Honors:

Military:

Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit w/Oak Leaf Cluster; Bronze Star Medal for Valor; Bronze Star Medal w/3 Oak Leaf Clusters; Purple Heart w/Oak Leaf Cluster; Meritorious Service Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster; Air Medal; Army Commendation Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters; National Defense Service Medal w/Bronze Star; Republic of Vietnam Service Medal w/5 Bronze Service Stars; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Ribbon w/2; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device; Republic of Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Badge w/Palm; Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge; Ranger Tab; Senior Parachutist Badge; and Jungle Expert Badge.

Civilian:

Military Merit Medal, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; Distinguished Service Medal, U.S. Virgin Islands; Distinguished Service Medal, State of Florida; American Defense Preparedness Association’s Most Outstanding Collegiate Military Instructor, 1st Place, Eastern United States and 3d Place, National; Citrus County Chronicle Citizen of the Year, 1996; Citrus Sertoma Service to Mankind Award, 1997; Central Citrus County Rotary Club Service Above Self Award, 1999; Citrus County Chamber of Commerce Rick B. Quinn Distinguished Citizen Award, 2000; and Who’s Who in the South and Southwest.