MSG James E. Harbin
Senior Military Science Instructor (SMSI)
Branch: Engineer
Assigned: August 2008
Home of Record: Texas
Master Sergeant James E. Harbin is a native of Mississippi. He enlisted in the Army after graduating from J.Z. George high school in Carrollton MS.
Master Sergeant Harbin’s military education includes: Basic training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO where he was awarded the Military Occupational Skill (MOS) of 21B Combat Engineer. His other education includes the Advanced and Basic Non Commissioned Officer Academy, Non Commissioned Officer Battle Staff School, Warriors Leaders Course, Basic Airborne School, and the Combat Life Savers Course. Master Sergeant Harbin assumed his current position as Senior Military Science Instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin August 2008.
His previous assignments include: The First Calvary Division where he served in various positions including First Sergeant 1-8 CAV for over three years, of which 15 months were in Eastern Baghdad, Iraq. Other assignments include deployment in support of Hurricane Katrina (Operation Southern Belle), Platoon Sergeant and Assistant Brigade Engineer in the 91st Engineer Battalion. While assigned to the 91st Engineer Battalion he was deployed for 15 months in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. MSG Harbin served as Platoon Sergeant 44th Engineer Battalion Camp Howze, South Korea, Squad leader and Operations Sergeant 299th Engineer Battalion, 4ID. Squad leader 10th Engineer Battalion Schweinfurt Germany and Team Leader 317th Engineer Battalion FT Benning GA. He also served as Assistant S4 (NCOIC) 36th Engineer Group FT Benning, GA, where he deployed in support of Operation Restore Hope (Somalia) and in support of Hurricane Andrew. He served as Team leader in Aschaffenburg Germany, Combat Engineer FT Benning, GA where he again deployed in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM. His first duty assignment was as a Combat Engineer, where he was assigned to the 58th Engineers Company (Combat), Bad Hersfeld, Germany where he conducted patrols along the border between East and West Germany, commonly known as Fulda Gap.
Awards and Decorations
Bronze Star (with two oak leaf clusters), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal
Army Comendation Medal (with four oak leaf clusters), Army Achievement Medal (with nine oak leaf clusters), Army Good Conduct Medal (with seven oak leaf clusters), National Defense Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal (with three oak leaf clusters)
The Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Approved Humanitarian Service Medals, Armed Forces Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (with two oak leaf clusters), Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon (with five oak leaf clusters), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal, Army Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army/Air Force Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Action Badge, Army Parachute Badge.