• National Guard Bureau Training NCO Course 24 Apr 86
• Florida National Guard Personnel Training 26 Aug 86
• U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy 08 Jul 88
• Personnel Data Systems U.S. Air Force 27Feb 90
• Total Quality Management Course 17 Sep 93

CIVILIAN EDUCATION:

• Graduate Umatilla High School, Umatilla, Florida (1964)
• Awarded Life Experience Credits from Mercer County Community College (96) Awarded Life Experience Credits from Vincennes University (53)
• Awarded College Credits from U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy (18)

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY:

• Sergeant Major Quinn became a citizen Soldier on 13 Jun 65
• Worked for Winn-Dixie from 1965 to 1973.
• Parts Clerk for the Florida Army National Guard Organizational Maintenance Shop, Florida Army National Guard 1973 to 1977.
• Promoted to Administrative Supply Technician and First Sergeant of Combat Support Company, 2nd Bn 124th Infantry 1977 to 1985
• Promoted to Operations Sergeant and later Chief Personnel NCO for Full Time Manning of Florida Army National Guard (Promoted to Sergeant Major)
• Retired from Florida Army National Guard 30 November 1995 (30 years’ service)
• Employed by Florida Department of Military Affairs December 1995 as Administrative Assistant
• Promoted to Director of Executive Services, Department of Military Affairs serving on the Staff of the Adjutant General
• Retired from the Department of Military Affairs February 2008

ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF VETERANS:
Since retirement in 1995 Sergeant Major Quinn has been the community’s “go to guy” for answers pertaining to retired military. He has stayed abreast of regulation changes and has offered his assistance when called upon.

He was one of the founders of the Veterans Council of St. Johns County. The Council was founded 4 July 2001 and he continues to be totally immersed in its operation. He is currently serving as the Vice Chair and has served as the Chairman. As part of his duties as Vice Chair he has chaired the Wreaths Across America Program for the St. Augustine National Cemetery for the past six years. Several times each year St. Johns County suffers the loss of a veteran that has no next of kin. Upon these occasions the county verifies their service and arranges for interment at the Jacksonville National Cemetery. The Veterans Council of St. Johns County has a policy that no veteran goes home alone. Sergeant Major Quinn volunteers to conduct a graveside service for every veteran that has no family.

In 1998 he was asked to apply for a position on the Fort Stewart, Georgia Retiree Council. He was accepted and served with distinction from 1998 until 2008. It was his honor to serve as the Chairman of the Enlisted Retiree Council of Ft. Stewart. In 2002 the Council asked him to apply for a position on the Chief of Staff U.S. Army Retiree Council. He was subsequently selected by General Eric Shinseki to serve that prestigious Council. It is a three-year duty, meeting at the Pentagon, however he was asked to remain on the Council for a fourth year.

Sergeant Major Quinn was invited to serve on the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame Council in 2012. He immediately accepted the invitation and was one of the initial members in assisting with the creation of the Hall of Fame. He was installed as the Vice Chair the first year and afterward served as the Chairman until 2019.

Sergeant Major Quinn has been a member of St. Augustine American Legion Post 37 for the past 12 years. He has served on committees as well as serving as the Post Historian and currently the Post Chaplain.

Sergeant Major Quinn is Past President and Life Member of the NCO Club of St. Augustine, Florida.

Sergeant Major Quinn serves on the Jacksonville National Cemetery Support Committee. He began his service on the committee in 2008 and continues that service today. He has served as both Vice Chairman and Chairman of the committee.

Sergeant Major Quinn is a Life Member of the Enlisted Association of America and of Florida. He is the Vice President for Retiree and Enlisted Affairs of the First Militia Chapter, Association of the United States Army.

CIVIC ACTIVITIES AND CONTRIBUTIONS:

Sergeant Major Quinn was asked if he would serve his county as an Interim County Commissioner in August of 2009. Subsequently he was appointed by Governor Charlie Crist as an Interim County Commissioner for the County of St. Johns serving from January 2010 to January 2011. His military organizational skills and leadership style was a good fit.

Sergeant Major Quinn served as a Board Member of the Matanzas Bay Club and non-political action group to ensure the progress of St. Augustine and St. Johns County.

He has served as member and Past President of the Kiwanis Club of Historic St. Augustine, Florida. Was proud to be among the civilian leaders of the community. While serving he instituted a toy drive for indigent families of St. Johns County. The Sergeant Major could be seen ringing the bell for the Salvation Army or picking up roadside trash for his club. He was very active from 1988 until 2008.

AWARDS AND HONORS:

MILITARY

• Legion of Merit, 
• Army Meritorious Service Medal, 
• Army Commendation Medal (2), 
• Army Achievement Medal (3), 
• Good Conduct Medal (4), 
• Army Reserve Components Medal, 
• National Defense Service Medal, 
• Humanitarian Service Medal, 
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal, 
• Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (5), 
• Army Service Ribbon, 
• Army Reserve Components Overseas Service Ribbon, 
• Florida Cross, 
• Florida Distinguished Service Medal (2), 
• Florida Service Medal, 
• Florida Commendation Medal, 
• Florida Meritorious Service Ribbon (21), 
• Florida Service Ribbon (5), 
• Florida Active State Service Ribbon, 
• Florida National Guard Recruiting Ribbon, 
• Florida Meritorious Unit Citation, 
• State Command Sergeants Major Award
• Graduate of the Basic, Advance and Senior Noncommissioned Officer Courses 
• Graduate of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, Fort Bliss, Texas
• Certificate of Completion U.S. Army Jungle Warfare School and award of Jungle Expert Patch
• Sergeant Major Quinn was inducted into the Order of St. Maurice at the Centurion Level. (The Order of St. Maurice is awarded to those who have significantly contributed to the United States Army Infantry.)

CIVILIAN:

Sergeant Major Quinn was honored by the State of Florida and Governor Rick Scott by presentation of the Governor’s Medal of Merit. This award has been presented to those veterans that have significant contributions to our state’s veterans and our communities.
January 2018 Sergeant Major Quinn was named the Military Citizen of the Year for St. Augustine. He was honored at the Fourth Annual Military Ball held in the City of St. Augustine.

WRITTEN NARRATIVE:

Sergeant Major (ret) Ray Quinn is an inspirational leader who has committed his life to serve veterans and their families. He has a distinguished military and civilian career that is worthy of selection to the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame and I am honored to nominate him.

Sergeant Major Quinn’s superior to veterans and military families was built on the foundation of an outstanding military career. He began his military career by enlisting in the Florida National Guard’s Company C, 2nd Battalion, 124th Infantry in Eustis, Florida. He progressed through Infantry assignments and rank serving as an Automatic Rifleman, Fire Team Leader, Scout Section Sergeant, Anti-armor Platoon Sergeant and First Sergeant. Throughout these assignments Ray exhibited outstanding leadership skills with the mindset of being a selfless leader. This tremendous record of excellence was recognized with his promotion to Sergeant Major. Selection to Sergeant Major an honor achieved by a select few Non- Commissioned Officers and is reflective of his consistently strong performance regardless of duty assignment. Sergeant Major Quinn’s mentorship skills were recognized by his serving as an instructor at the Florida National Guard Military Academy and a facilitator at the First Sergeants Course. The Florida National Guard recognized Sergeant Major Quinn’s leadership by selecting him for active- duty assignment with the Guard from 1973-1995.

Upon his retirement Sergeant Major Quinn chose to continue a life of service in impactful ways. He served with the Florida Department of Military Affairs for many years culminating with his selection as the Director of Executive Services. Ray was instrumental in the professionalism of Florida National Guard events, ensuring that protocol exceeded the standard. At the same time Sergeant Major Quinn was continuing to serve the Florida National Guard for his full-time job, he was providing leadership and support to multiple military oriented organizations.

While I will not repeat the lengthy contributions Sergeant Major Quinn has accomplished that are already outlined in this application, I will highlight some of his achievements. Without question he is the most sought-after leader in the Northeast Florida veterans’ community. Sergeant Major Quinn has a reputation of saying “yes” to every veterans’ initiative regardless of the commitment. He is one of the founders of the Veterans Council of St. Johns County and has served as Chair and currently is Vice Chair. This Veterans Council has become a tireless advocate for veterans not only in St. Johns County but throughout the region. Through Ray’s leadership the Council participates in the annual Wreaths Across America Program, ensures that every St. Johns County veteran who passes is properly honored, and multiple other initiatives. His caring leadership is demonstrated when he volunteers to conduct a graveside service for every veteran that has no family.

Even in retirement the Army continues to recognize Sergeant Major Quinn’s leadership. He was asked to apply for a position on the Fort Stewart, Georgia Retiree Council where he served for 10 years highlighted by his role as Chairman of the Enlisted Retiree Council. Through his service to Fort Stewart Sergeant Major

Quinn was asked to apply for a position on the Chief of Staff US Army Retiree Council where he not served a traditional three-year term but also was asked to serve an additional year.

Sergeant Major Quinn’s work has impacted veterans across Florida. He was invited to serve on the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame Council and was one of the leaders in the creation of the Hall of Fame. In recognition of his leadership, he served as both Chair and Vice Chair. Sergeant Major has served not only Florida veterans but all Floridians. He was asked to serve his County as an interim St. Johns County Commissioner and he enthusiastically accepted and professionally served in this demanding position.

This application contains an excellent summary of Sergeant Major Quinn’s life of service and I will not repeat his numerous other achievements. I consider Ray Quinn one of the finest Soldiers with whom I have had the honor to serve. It is irrelevant to Ray whether he is in uniform or not; he is first and always a Soldier serving others. He is a role model for not only military members but all Floridians who want to serve their community, state, and nation. Sergeant Major Quinn is the ultimate example of a citizen warrior. He served our country with distinction during his military career and he continues to serve our community today. Sergeant Major Quinn is truly an American hero and is unquestionably worthy of selection to the Florida Veterans’ Hall of Fame.