The Bartlett Volunteer Fire Association invites all veterans to the Bartlett Fireman's Hall (Fire Barn) at 6 p.m. on Friday, 5/23, for this free event, with catered meal, which includes a presentation by special guest Kenneth Atkinson.
Ken is a senior consultant with Special Operations Association of America (SOAA), a special forces (Green Beret) soldier working as the senior enlisted advisor for Special Operations Detachment-X (SOD-X)/Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), and a retired fire captain from the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department.
Ken served 4 years active duty and then went on to complete paramedic school at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) eventually securing employment as a firefighter/[aramedic with the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department (LPFD) in California. He worked his way up to the rank of fire captain and attained his BSB-M degree from the University of Phoenix, while serving his last 13 years in the department on Truck 93, until he retired in 2018.
Ken joined the US Army National Guard 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in 2012 as a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant. He balanced his time between LPFD and deployments (Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Ukraine), and had been appointed the Active-Duty Company Operations Sergeant (1SG in conventional units) in 2018.
In 2021, Ken assumed the active-duty role of liaison to the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Florida, before being asked to work for a North Carolina based non-profit organization, The Independence Fund, serving veterans as
their chief operating officer (COO), and eventually deputy chief of staff (DCoS).
Ken then transitioned back to active duty as he was recruited to work in his current position as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for SOD-X / JSOC.
Some of Ken’s military awards include Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal (5 awards); Army Achievement Medal (3 awards); Special Forces Tab; Combat Infantryman’s Badge; Master Parachutist’s Badge; Mountain Warfare Badge; Expert Marksmanship Badge (rifle, and pistol); Valorous Unit Award; and German Marksmanship Award.
Ken currently resides in North Carolina with his 4-year-old boxer dog, MOAB, and has 2 grown boys. His oldest son served as a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant with the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) and is currently pursuing a role with the US Secret Service (USSS). His youngest son is a firefighter/paramedic with the Fremont Fire Department and is preparing for an upcoming engineer exam.
Please RSVP to bartlettfirebarn@gmail.com by May 12 to confirm your attendance.
