User:GregAmira

CPT Gregory Amira, U.S. Army Reserves, Retired, Civil Affairs

Born September 6, 1969 in Manhattan, New York – while living in Brooklyn. Joined R.O.T.C. while attending University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida in 1989. Attended and graduated Airborne School at Fort Benning, GA in the summer of 1993. Upon commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant on 3 May, 1994 and graduating college simultaneously, he attended Quartermaster Officer Basic Course at Fort Lee, VA until 16 September, 1994. He then moved back to New York City as a single father and began working for Morgan Stanley at #2 World Trade Center on the 73rd floor. He remained in the IRR until May of 1999 due to being a single parent and his full time job. He then joined the 140th Quartermaster Company, 77th RSC at Fort Totten, NY as a Platoon Leader. After 8+ years with Morgan Stanley, he achieved the title of Vice President and was present on 11 September, 2001. He was trapped and buried under debris as it covered the car he had sought shelter under when the buildings fell (http://www.billbiggart.com/911_13_1.html ). He was then disabled from his civilian career by Social Security Disability, NY State Workers Compensation, and a private Long Term Disability Insurance company due to severe injuries to his back. All the while failing to be med boarded and remaining in the IRR.

While on disability, he was recalled by the military causing him to lose his WTC-9/11 long term disability package permanently. CPT Amira was assigned to US Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command to deploy in Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion, Bravo Company, to FOB Warhorse, Baquba, Iraq as part of the Diyala Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT). CPT Amira did his best to be released from service pre-deployment, explaining that he was 100% disabled, the Army disagreed and Amira was deployed as part of the advance team in order to return early. He spent roughly 13 months in Iraq working on projects, meeting with business and government leaders and shaping policies. He completed over 155 combat patrols and 28 Blackhawk missions. On 26 January, 2007 CPT Amira was driving the trail vehicle when another vehicle in his convoy was hit with an IED blast. The ensuing events claimed the life of his Commander, MAJ Alan R. Johnson, who he spent months training with at Fort Bragg, and was sent to Diyala in response to their Company Commanders poor judgement, lack of focus and other significant management challenges.

CPT Amira returned to the United States and submitted a request for a Purple Heart for actions on January 26, 2007. It was then that he was assigned to the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Bragg, North Carolina for wounded soldiers and holdovers from USACAPOC's Warrior Brigade. After 13 months of medical treatment, he was released by the Army to continue treatment at James Haley VA Hospital in Tampa, FL for TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and spinal cord treatment. He now resides in Trinity, Florida, attends James Haley VA Hospital on a regular basis for various therapies, and volunteers for various wounded veteran organizations. CPT Amira was officially retired by the U.S. Army on 13 July 2010 with an 80% disability rating for the same injuries to his back suffered on 9/11. He is currently pending another VA review and probable increase.

After 3 years of volunteering his time and efforts with other wounded veteran organizations & being Commander of his local Chapter of Military Order of the Purple Heart from 2010 - 2011, he founded WoundedVets.org to help with other wounded veterans. He still continues to speak for Veterans issues.

Captain Amira was awarded the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 campaign stars, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M device, the Combat Action Badge, and the Parachutist’s Badge.

CPT Amira holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies with an emphasis on Middle Eastern studies, and has a minor in Political Science and Military Science. In his civilian life he was a money manager for Morgan Stanley before his disability on 11 September 2001. There he was licensed with a Series 7 (General Securities), Series 63 ( Blue Sky), Series 31 (Managed Futures & Commodities), Insurance licensed (Health, Life, & Variable Annuity), Advanced Options, IRA Rollover Specialist, Lump Sum Distribution Specialist, 401(k) Specialist, Estate Planning Specialist, and Managed Money Specialist. He was a member of Morgan Stanley’s Directors Club which was the top 10% of the firm’s producers.

CPT Amira is fortunate enough to reside in both Trinity, Florida and New York City, NY near his mother, Marlene, and father, Irvin, respectively. He has a daughter, Alexis Rae who is currently attending the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Other sources of information include;

1 - http://www.thejewishweek.com/features/healing_emotional_scars

2 - http://www.sptimes.com/2006/12/09/Business/From_rubble_of_911_to.shtml

3 - http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/wounded-warrior-project-fundraiser-in-dade-city-on-saturday/1057726

4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0701zjfOtk

5 - http://www.wbng.com/news/local/Healing-Pain-Outdoors-104362689.html

6 - http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-11-04/sports/fl-alligator-hunt-1105-20101104_1_hunting-alligators-thrashing-gator-powerful-reptiles

7 -http://www.baynews9.com/video?clip=http://static.baynews9.com/newsvideo/bn9/web_video/Twin_Towers_Local_52.f4v&vtitle=A%20local%209/11%20survivor%20reacts%20to%20bin%20Laden%27s%20death

8 - http://www.cyclingforheroes.org/heroes/

9 - http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2011/may/27/2/in-the-twin-towers-then-called-to-serve-in-iraq-ar-232881/

10 - http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/polk/warrior-walk-set-for-lakeland-07272011

11 - http://www2.centrotampa.com/content/2011/sep/08/inquebrantable/noticias-locales/

12 - http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/happening-now/blog/2011/09/11/sept-11th-live-ground-zero

13 - http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2011/sep/08/bicyclists-to-trek-450-miles-to-commemorate-lives--ar-255955/

14 - http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/whats_right/local-survivor-remembers-911-090711

15 - http://www.onenewspage.co.uk/video/20110907/580663/Local-survivor-remembers-11.htm

16 - http://www.cfnews13.com/article/news/2011/october/322406/Groups-take-Purple-Heart-recipients-alligator-hunting

17 - http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20111009/SPORTS05/110090310/Vets-find-healing-outdoors

18 - Chain of Command and eye witness testimony