Captain (CPT) Oneida D. Battle:

CPT Battle was born in Landstuhl, Germany. She graduated from Henry Foss Senior High School in 1977. CPT Battle graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Pacific Lutheran University obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science on May 23, 1982. She received a Master of Arts Degree from Pacific Lutheran University on August 23, 1991.

CPT Battle began her military career on February 13, 1981, when she enlisted in the Washington Army National Guard in Tacoma, Washington as a Still Photo Specialist (84B10) as part of the Split Option Training Program. During the same time period, she completed Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training and was awarded the Nuclear Biological and Chemical (NBC) Military Occupational Specialty (54E). In June 1983, CPT Battle attended Officer Candidate School (OCS) at the Washington Military Academy. On July 21, 1984, she completed the OCS Program and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant Transportation Officer Branch.

After receiving her commission, CPT Battle served as the Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) Team Chief in the 116th Rear Area Operation Center (RAOC) at Camp Murray, Tacoma, Washington. During this assignment, she performed temporary duty in Brussels, Belgium. On May 12, 1987, CPT Battle was assigned as Platoon Leader, 1161st Transportation Company, Ephrata, Washington. That was a short-lived assignment and in July of the same year she was transferred to Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD), 248th Transportation Battalion in Montesano, Washington. She served as Detachment Commander for nearly two years. In January 1989, she assumed the role of Executive Officer for the 541st Personnel Services Company at Camp Murray in Tacoma, Washington. On December 3, 1990, CPT Battle transferred from the Washington Army National Guard to the Arkansas Army National Guard and was hired as the first female Equal Employment Manager in the history of the Arkansas National Guard.

CPT Battle served with distinction in her role as State Equal Employment Manager. She was awarded a Memorandum of Appreciation from the Chief, Equal Opportunity Division, National Guard Bureau (NGB) for her participation in the second workshop of its kind focusing on equal opportunity challenges and opportunities in the National Guard. On August 31, 1994, CPT Battle transferred from the Arkansas Army National Guard to the Arkansas Air National Guard and was assigned to the 189th Mission Support Squadron, 189th Airlift Wing, Jacksonville, Arkansas.

CPT Battle’s profession military education include the Transportation Officer Basic Course, Transportation Officer Advanced Course, the Department of Defense (DOD) Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, Patrick Air Force Base Phase 1-III course for Equal Opportunity Advisors and Equal Opportunity Representative Course.
CPT Battle’s service was recognized for its excellence through the receipt of the following awards, decorations and honors to include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Training Ribbon and Arkansas Commendation Medal.