Thomas Raymond Rogers

U.S. Navy 1981 –

Thomas Raymond Rogers was born on 1 April 1958 in Phillippi, West Virginia (WV), and grew up on a dairy farm outside of Lumberport, WV. He graduated from Lumberport High School in 1975 and attended West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture.

Military service ran in Tom’s family. He had an uncle and a cousin who served in the Navy during World War II and another cousin who served during the Vietnam War. In 1981, this family history plus his interest in flying led him to a Navy recruiter who promptly signed him up for a career in Naval Aviation. Following his graduation from Naval Aviation Officers Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida in September 1981, he decided to change designators. He became a Surface Warfare Officer and graduated from Surface Warfare Officer/Division Officer School in 1982.

Tom’s assignments and duty stations include: (1) 1990 – Executive Officer and Operations Officer onboard USS Boulder (LST-1140); (2) 1991 – Operations Officer onboard USS Trenton (LPD-14) during a three-month “Great Lakes Cruise”; (3) Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm – Manpower, Personnel, and Training Officer at the Naval Reserve Readiness Command Region Six – He was responsible for Manpower and Training of 1,700 Naval reservists in a five-state area. He also served as the Executive Officer and Training Officer. The reservists’ application error rate dropped dramatically from 56% to 6% during Tom’s tenure.

Tom served on the Navy’s first Total Quality Leadership (TQL) Test Ship where he was on the TQL Steering Committee. He was able to help successfully guide the Navy into this new leadership process. When he transferred to Naval Support Activity (NSA) Mid-South in Millington, Tenn., in 1993, his experience was invaluable in helping his new command quickly assimilate the TQL theories and put them into practice.

After his military retirement and before permanently retiring, Tom worked civilian jobs at International Paper, Fence-U-In Fence Company, Tractor Supply Company, State of Tennessee Food and Dairy Inspector, and Safe Haven Security.

Tom now spends his time volunteering. He is a cook for the Tipton County Men’s Prayer Breakfast and the “Serve Covington” missions. He is active in the Memphis Emmaus Community activities and is the Committee Chair for the “Gatherings.” He has also participated in four short-term mission trips: two to Cuba and one each to India and to Columbia. He volunteers extensively at the First United Methodist Church in Covington where he has been a Junior High Youth Counselor, Finance Chair, and Mission Chair, in addition to his involvement in the Puppet Ministry and the Food Pantry. Currently, he is a Senior High Youth Counselor, Wednesday night Sunday School teacher, and Youth Bus Driver.

Tom married his loving wife, Lisa Wilson Rogers, on 9 July 2011. He is the proud father of two adult daughters: Lauren Elizabeth Lawson of Antioch, TN, and Leah Rogers Arthur of Drummonds, TN. When he is not volunteering, Tom enjoys his 14 goats, four house dogs, and two Guardian dogs on his hobby farm. Tom was nominated for Veteran of the Month by Robin Wallace, the June 2021 Veteran of the Month.