Mike Vining

Mike Roger Vining (born August 12, 1950) is a retired sergeant major in the United States Army, who was one of the first members of Delta Force. He joined the U.S. Army in 1968, and served until 1999.

Early life Mike Vining was born on August 12, 1950 in Greenville, Michigan, to Roger Earl (1927–2020) and Dolores Arlene Vining (née Croff, originally Rector; 1930–2003). Vining had an interest in serving in the military since childhood and developed a hobby of crafting small-scale explosives after ordering a manual on the subject via an ad in Popular Science. When he was in high school, he saw news of the Tet Offensive, which inspired him to join the military. After completing his tour in Vietnam, Vining left the Army and returned home to Michigan. He got a job at a plant that stamped out automotive body parts for Ford Motor Company and then became the lead employee on the third shift of the largest press in the plant, a 500-ton press.

In 1973, he rejoined the Army, serving as an EOD specialist in the 63rd Ordnance Detachment at Fort Leonard Wood. Vining served in Delta until 1985, taking part in Operation Eagle Claw and Operation Urgent Fury.

Later career Vining has a Bachelor of Science in sociology from Excelsior University, and he has worked as a historian for the National EOD Association and the EOD Warrior Foundation. This meme was often used as a reaction image.

BadgeCombat Infantryman BadgeBadgeBasic Parachutist Badge 1st rowLegion of MeritBronze Star MedalDefense Meritorious Service Medal 2nd rowMeritorious Service Medal Joint Service Commendation MedalArmy Commendation MedalJoint Service Achievement Medal 3rd rowArmy Achievement MedalArmy Good Conduct Medal National Defense Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal 4th rowVietnam Service Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal NCO Professional Development Ribbon 5th rowArmy Service Ribbon Army Overseas Service RibbonVietnam Campaign Medal Kuwait Liberation Medal BadgesMilitary Freefall Parachutist BadgeMaster Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge

Personal life In January 1999, he married Donna Ikenberry on Mauna Kea, in Hawaii. Vining lives with his wife, a freelance photojournalist, in South Fork, Colorado. They have two children, Terri and Lorri.