Zachariah Oeland

Sergeant First Class Zachariah P. Oeland enlisted in the Army in 2006 and attended One Station Unit Training as an 11B (Infantryman) at Fort Benning, Georgia. His initial assignment was to the 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he served as a Squad Automatic Rifleman.

In September 2007, Oeland was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon redeployment, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and served as a Sniper and Team Leader. In January 2010, he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom where he was awarded an Arcom with Valor Device.

Upon redeployment in 2011 he was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and assigned to 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment (Stryker), with the 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas, where he served as a Squad Leader as well as deploying a second time in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2014, SSG Oeland was selected to serve as a Drill Sergeant and later Senior Drill Sergeant at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, with the 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment from 2015 to 2017.

In 2017, SSG Oeland was reassigned to the 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in Fort Irwin, California, where he served as a Platoon Sergeant and promoted to Sergeant First Class in 2018. Oeland is currently assigned as a Military Science Instructor at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas.

His military education includes: Senior Leader Course (CL), Advanced Leader Course, Basic Leader Course, Drill Sergeant Course, Battle Staff Course, Sexual Harassment/Assault Response Prevention Course, Master Resilience Training Course, Sniper School, Airborne School, Air Assault School, NTC Observer/ Controller Course, Combatives Level 1, Armorer Course, Field Sanitation Course, Sling Load Inspection Certification Course, Anti-Terrorism Basic Course

Oeland has been married to Cortney Oeland since 2006, and they share two children together, a son, Gavin, and a daughter, Paislee.

Awards and Decorations

Order of Saint Maurice (Legionnaire)
Purple Heart
Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award)
Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device, Army Commendation Medal (5th award)
Army Achievement Medal (4th award)
Valorous Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Citation (2nd award)
Army Superior Unit Award
Army Good Conduct Medal (4th award)
National Defense Service Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal (two Bronze Service Stars)
Iraqi Campaign Medal (one Bronze Service Star)
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
NCO Professional Development Ribbon (3rd award)
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd award)
NATO Medal
Combat Infantryman’s Badge
Expert Infantryman’s Badge
Drill Sergeant Badge
Parachutist Badge
Air Assault Badge
Driver/mechanic Badge (Wheeled)
Certificate of Achievement (3rd award)