Decorated ROTC Director Posted to Pentagon

MELBOURNE, FLA.—LTC Freida Oakley, recently Florida Institute of Technology professor of military science and director of the university’s U.S. Army R.O.T.C. program, was assigned to the Legislative Liaison at the Pentagon, Va., effective July 2008.

Oakley was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Air Defense Artillery in 1988 when she graduated from Southern Arkansas University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. In 1998 she earned a master’s degree in logistics management from Florida Tech’s Extended Studies Site at Fort Lee, Va.

Oakley has fulfilled overseas assignments in Germany, Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Hungary. She has supported Operation Desert Shield/Storm, Operation Joint Endeavor, Operation Desert Spring, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Her roles in these operations include Launcher and Fire Control Platoon Leader, Battalion Operations Officer, Battalion Support Operations Officer and Battalion Executive Officer.

Oakley has earned a multitude of military awards and decorations including the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (four times), Army Commendation Medal (four times), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary/Service and National Defense Service Medal.

Oakley graduated from Hope High School, Hope, Ark., in 1984. She was born in Texarkana and lived there until age 15.