Biography

SFC (Ret.) Alan Conrad, a 1977 Concordia graduate, returned to Concordia Lutheran High School in September 1994, after retiring from active service and began his current career as the Army Instructor.

SFC Conrad career began when he enlisted upon graduating from Concordia Lutheran High School. After completion of Basic Training, AIT and the U.S. Army Airborne Course, he attended the Special Forces Qualification Course (Light Weapons) at Ft. Bragg, NC. Upon completion in July 1978, he was assigned to 7th Special Forces Group (Abn), Signal Company where he continued his training as a Communications Sergeant; and after completing the Communication Sergeants Course, he was assigned to SFODA 743, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th SFG(A) as the detachment Communication SGT.

In April 1983, SFC Conrad was reassigned to SFODA-17, C Company, 3rd Bn, 7th SFG(A) at Ft. Gullick, ROP. From 1983-1986, SFC Conrad participated in several deployments to Costa Rica, Honduras, Columbia and Bolivia as a member of SFODA-17 as part of the United States actions to control the movement of illegal drugs from Central/South America to the United States.

Upon Returning to Ft. Bragg, SFC Conrad was assigned as the NCOIC, Basic International Morris Code Course, United States Army John F Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. While the NCOIC of the BIMC Course, SFC Conrad directed the construction of a 60 console IMC instructional Facility.

In February 1990, SFC Conrad was reassigned to ODA-742, A/2/7th SFG(A), Ft. Bragg, NC as the Intelligence Sergeant . As a member of ODA-742, SFC Conrad was responsible for developing the Escape and Evasion plan as well as gathering intelligence for operations throughout the Darien Provence of the Republic of Panama. As a member of ODA-742, SFC Conrad deployed multiple times to Central and South America as well as deployments to JTF-6, Camp Bullis, Texas working with the U.S. Boarder Patrol’s BORTAC unit. In 1993, SFC Conrad was reassigned to HHC, 7th SFG(A) as the Assistant Operations Sergeant (TNG).

SFC Conrad’s schools include U.S. Army Basic Training, Infantry School, Basic Airborne Course, SFQC (Weapon Sergeant), SFQC Phase II (Communication Sergeants), Advanced Airborne School (Jumpmaster), Special Operations Training (Sniper), Special Operations Training (Pistol), Advanced 4.2 inch Gunnery School, Fire Direction Control Course, and Basic EMT Course. SFC Conrad also graduated from IVY Tech Community College in 2010 with an Associate of Art (Political Science) Degree.

Awards and decorations include the Master Parachutists’ Badge, Special Forces Tab, Special Forces ‘S’ Identifier, Honduran Master Parachutists’ Badge, Korean Parachutist Badge, Columbian Parachutist Badge, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd OLC), Joint Unit Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (14 OLC), Good Conduct Medal (5 Knots), National Defense Medal, NCOPD (3), Overseas Ribbon and the Army Service Ribbon. Civilian Awards include the Department of the Army Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, Independent Colleges of Indiana “Realizing the Dream” Award and the WKJG TV Teacher Award.    

SFC Conrad is married to the former Gyneth Schaeffer of Ft. Wayne, Indiana and they have two adult children; Bryan (Kate) Conrad of Ft. Wayne and Angela Conrad of New Albany, Indiana as well as two grandchildren Kolten and Harrison.