BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY : AFRICAN AMERICAN " SGT. 1st CLASS DERICK BOYKINS " AWARDED BRONZE STAR - FOR COMBINE SPECIAL OPERATIONS TASK FORCE - AFGHANISTAN : GOES INTO THE " HALL OF BLACK HEROES "

  BLACK  SOCIAL  HISTORY                                                                                                                                                                                               Flint-area military news: United States Army Sgt. 1st class Derrick Boykins awarded Bronze Star

By Sherry Caraway | The Flint Journal 

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View full sizeSgt. 1st class Derrick Boykins

United State Army Sgt. 1st class Derrick Boykins, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for combined joint special operations task force - Afghanistan for exceptionally Meritorious service as team engineer from Feb. 6 - Dec. 6 2011 in support of operation enduring freedom. Sgt. Boykins outstanding leadership and dedication to duty during combat operations on Afghanistan contributed to the overwhelming success of the commands’ mission. His actions were in keeping with the traditions of military service and reflect distinct credit upon himself. The combined joint special operations task force- Afghanistan.
Boykins awards and decorations include: Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal (4OLC), Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal (4 Bronze Loops), Marine Corps Good Conduct, National Defense Service Medal (w/ 2 bronze service star), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, South West Asia Service Medal/w 2 bronze service stars, Iraqi Campaign Medal W/ 2 bronze service stars, Global War On Terror Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Navy/Marine Overseas Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Nato Medal w/ 2 bronze service stars, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Saudi Kuwait Liberation Medal, Basic Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, Navy Scuba Diver, and Sharp Shooter Marksmanship Badge, Italian Jump Wings, Royal Netherlands Jump Wings.
SFC Boykins enlisted in the United States Army on 25 June 1996 after successful completion of Advanced Individual Training, and Airborne School he was assigned to the 3/75th Ranger Regiment where he worked as a medic. In December 1997 he was stationed in Vicenza Italy and served with 1/508th Airborne Brigade Combat Team as a medic for 3 years. From there he was stationed at Fort Stewart, GA until July 2002 when he ETS. He joined the National Guard 3/20th SFG (Ocala, FI) (11 B/Infantry) for a three and years deployed to Iraq from August of 2005 til May 2006. Came back on active duty August of 2006 to be stationed at Fort Benning, GA. He deployed to Iraq March 2007 March 2008. He attended the Civil Affairs Qualification Course (Fort Bragg, NC) in May of 2008 April 2009. He was sent to 91st CA (Airborne), where he currently serves in Delta Company.
SFC Boykins graduated Marine Basic Training, Advanced Individual Training, Airborne school, Infantry School, Medical Health Specialist Course, Civil Affairs Qualification Course, Survival Evade Resistance and Escape (High Risk), Mobile Force Protection, Tactical Combat Casualty Care, Advanced Negotiations, Tactical mobility training, Navy Basic Scuba, International Long Range Recon Course (Pfullendorf Germany), International Long Range Recon Patrol Medical Course (Pfullendorf Germany), Emergency Medical Technician, Prehospital Trauma Life Support, Advanced Cardio Life Support, Basic Trauma Life Support, Trauma Aims, Ranger Indoctrination Program, Warrior Leadership Course, Advanced Leadership Course.
SFC Boykins joined the Marine Corps from July 1989 until August 1994. He enlisted in the Army from June 1996 until July 2002.
SFC Boykins is a 1989 graduate of Mt. Morris High School. Since then he has completed 130 semester hours from Okeefenokee Technical College (Nursing and then changed to computers and Operating Room Tech).
SFC Boykins enlisted in the United States Army on 25 June 1996 after successful completion of Advanced Individual Training, and Airborne School he was assigned to the 3/75th Ranger
Regiment where he worked as a medic. In December 1997 he was stationed in Vicenza Italy and served with 1/508th Airborne Brigade Combat Team as a medic for 3 years. From there he was stationed at Fort Stewart, GA until July 2002 when he ETS. He joined the National Guard 3/20th SFG (Ocala, FI) (11 B/Infantry) for a three and years deployed to Iraq from August of 2005 until May 2006. Came back on active duty August of 2006 to be stationed at Fort Benning, GA. He deployed to Iraq March 2007 March 2008. He attended the Civil Affairs Qualification Course (Fort Bragg, NC) in May of 2008 April 2009. He was sent to 91st CA (Airborne), where he currently serves in Delta Company.
SFC Boykins has graduated Marine Basic Training, Advanced Individual Training, Airborne school, Infantry School, Medical Health Specialist Course, Civil Affairs Qualification Course, Survival Evade Resistance and Escape (High Risk), Mobile Force Protection, Tactical Combat Casualty Care, Advanced Negotiations, Tactical mobility training, Navy Basic Scuba, International Long Range Recon Course (Pfullendorf Germany), International Long Range Recon Patrol Medical Course (Pfullendorf Germany), Emergency Medical Technician, Prehospital Trauma Life Support, Advanced Cardio Life Support, Basic Trauma Life Support, Trauma Aims, Ranger Indoctrination Program, Warrior Leadership Course, Advanced Leadership Course.
SFC Boykins short term goals are to attend and complete Jump Master School, Joint Special Operations University courses and become a Master Sergeant and to attend Senior Leadership Course and become a Team Sergeant in Delta Co 91st and deploy to Africa. His long term goals are to finish college and retire from the Army after 25 years of service and study martial arts. Continue working for the government and working with soldiers or hire onto contacting positions that may open up. See his wife finish college one of her long term goals and dreams. He is the son of Ken and Arlene Boykins of Mt. Morris.