Staff Sergeant Bennett L. Starling JR was born in Evanston, IL born on April 19, 1983. He graduated Evanston Township High School in 2001. SSG Starling entered the United States Army on active duty on October 22, 2002. He completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky and Advance Individual Training at Fort Lee, Virginia, where he was awarded the Automated Logistics Specialist MOS 92A.
SSG Starling is a graduate of the Warrior Leadership Course, Advanced Leadership Course, and Senior Leadership Course, Unit Prevention Leader, Army Basic Instructor Course, Cadre Training Course, Contracting Officer Representative Course, Demonstrated Senior Logistician, Automated Air Load Planners Course, Commanders Total Fitness Course, and Combat Lifesaver Course. SSG Starling’s civilian education includes pursuing his Associates Degree in Computer Applications from American Military University.
SSG Starling’s duty assignments include: holding positions of Equipment Record/Parts Specialist, Squad Leader, Equipment Record/Parts Sergeant, and Materiel Storage/Handling Sergeant for the 26th Brigade Support Battalion, Fort Stewart, Georgia from May 2003 – November 2008. SSG Starling was the Equipment Record/Parts NCO for the 201st Military Intelligence Battalion, Fort Sam Houston, Texas from December 2008 – January 2012. SSG Starling most recently served as an Instructor/Writer for Logistic Training Department for the 244th Quartermaster Battalion, Fort Lee, Virginia. He is currently deployed to Afghanistan on his 4th tour.
SSG Starling’s awards include the Army Commendation Medal (4OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2OLC), Good Conduct (3), Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation (2OLC), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (2CS), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3), Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Ribbon (3), Nato Medal, Drivers Badge, and Basic Marksman Qualification Badge.
SSG Starling has four deployments: two tours in Iraq, two tours in Afghanistan.
SSG Starling is a father of one child, Kaylah.