Biography

Staff Sergeant (SSG) Vance Dewey enlisted in the Rhode Island Army National Guard as a 31B, Military Police on November 7, 2014. He completed Military Police One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he distinguished himself as the Company C, 795th Military Police Battalion Leadership Awardee.

Upon returning to Rhode Island in 2015, SSG Dewey was assigned to the 115th Military Police Company’s Operations Section. In January 2017, he mobilized with the 118th Military Police Battalion to Washington, D.C., where he provided critical site security and served as part of a quick reaction force during the 45th Presidential Inauguration. The following month, he participated in a multinational training exercise Austere Challenge/Global Lighting 17 in Grafenwoehr, Germany, providing security at sensitive sites.

In May 2018, SSG Dewey was selected to Active Guard Reserve as a Recruiting and Retention NCO, where he quickly excelled, enlisting 13 Soldiers in his first year—achieving 108% of his mission. Most of these recruits joined Rhode Island’s four Military Police units, strengthening the state’s force structure. His performance earned him the Army National Guard Senior Recruiter Badge. SSG Dewey returned to the 115th Military Police Company, where he supported pre-mobilization training, mentored Soldiers, led ranges, and evaluated 14 vehicle crews during live-fire gunnery. As the unit’s Career Counselor, he guided 26 Soldiers in reenlistment or transition

In 2019, SSG Dewey returned to the Recruiting and Retention Battalion, where he played a key role in Rhode Island’s COVID-19 response operations. He helped design and implement the operational framework for the state’s testing and vaccination missions. He also mentored 20 recruiters, assisted the state in consistently meeting recruiting goals, and managed the Battalion’s Mobile Event Team.

After six years of dedicated service, SSG Dewey medically retired from the Rhode Island Army National Guard in June 2021.

SSG Dewey’s awards and decorations include the following: Three Army Commendation Medals, Two Army Achievement Medals, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, RI- Recruiting Ribbon, RI-Emergency Service Ribbon, DC Community Service Ribbon and the Army National Guard Senior Recruiter Badge.

Following his retirement, Mr. Dewey began working as a Recruiting Operations Officer for the U.S. Army Cadet Command in August 2021. He is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Arts degree in Strategic Communication at the University of Rhode Island.

Mr. Dewey is married to his wife Lindsey and resides in Connecticut with their dog Sarge.