SMOKE RUN – The Moshannon Valley Community Education Foundation, organizers of the Knight’s Victory Race, is happy to announce Major Tina Kopilchack as their distinguished guest.
Kopilchack, is originally from Smithmill, PA. She enlisted in the United States Army as a Private First Class on Nov. 14, 1989. Following basic combat training at Fort McClellan, AL and advanced individual training as a preventive medicine specialist at Fort Sam Houston, she was assigned to Winn Army Community Hospital, Fort Stewart, GA. Shortly after arriving, she deployed in the initial phase of Desert Shield/Storm with the 197th Infantry Brigade, 24th Infantry Division and spent seven months in Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Upon returning, she served in operational assignments with the 225th Preventive Medicine Detachment, Fort Stewart, GA and the 926th Preventive Medicine Detachment, Fort Benning, GA. SSG Kopilchack’s final enlisted assignment was at the United States Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine where she served in the deputy chief of staff for operations, Field Preventive Medicine Division, and as an enlisted aide to the cmmanding general. Here, she had the opportunity to develop the manning and equipment package for the Special Medical Augmentation Response Team- Preventive Medicine and serve on the Military Health System 2020 visioning group.
Kopilchack received a direct commission as an environmental science officer in January 2000. Her officer assignments were as the chief, environmental health, Fort Belvoir, VA where she developed the initial West Nile Virus Surveillance and Treatment Plan and a quick response plan/equipment list for suspicious powder testing; special assistant to the chief, Medical Service Corps, Office of the Army Surgeon General, Falls Church, VA where she helped design the Medical Holdover initiative and designed and published the 2004 MSC Annual Report in addition to coordinating and executing numerous Surgeon General level awards boards; director, joint safety office, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research/Naval Medical Research Center, Forest Glen, MD. In 2006, after 16.5 years of active duty service, Kopilchack joined the District of Columbia National Guard Weapons of Mass Destruction – Civil Support Team as the medical operations officer, then as the deputy commander prior to being selected as the 33rd CST Commander.
Kopilchack’s awards and decorations include: Expert Field Medical Badge, Meritorious Service Medal (1OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3OLC), Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (9OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (Bronze), National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal (2 Stars), Armed Forces Service Medal, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Basic Level), Army Service Ribbon, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwaiti Liberation Medal (Emirate of Kuwait), Community Service Ribbon, Army Superior Unit Award (1OLC), Commanding General’s Outstanding Unit Award (DCNG), 2006 Major General Charles L. Southward Leadership Award.
Kopilchack received her B.S. in health science from Columbus State University in 1999 and M.S. in emergency
and disaster management from Touro University in 2008. Her military educationcincludes AMEDD Officer Basic Course, Principles of Military Preventivec Medicine, Environmental Program Requirements, Basic Hazardous Waste Management, Transport of Biomedical Material, Basic Radiation Protection Officer Course, Health Aspects of Design Review, AMEDD Captain’s Career
Course, Medical Effects of Ionizing Radiation, Action Officer Force Integration Course, Medical Management of Chemical and Biological Casualties, Civil Support Skills Course, Medical Response to Weapons of Mass Destruction, Field Management of Chemical and Biological Casualties, Homeland Security Medical Executive Course, Health Services Plans, Operations, Intelligence, Security and Training, Advanced Life Support Response to Hazardous Materials Incidents, Biological Warfare Agent Clandestine Laboratory Course, Respiratory Protection Officer Course, Field Identification of Biological Warfare Agents Course, Civil Support Team Pre-Command Course, Defense Support to Civil Authorities Phase II, Maritime Operations Course.
Major Kopilchack will conduct the Accolade or Knighting Ceremony of the Knight’s Victory Race.
The Knight’s Victory Race is a 5K (3.1 miles) race with 10 obstacles inspired by the Spartan Races. The race will be held on Saturday, October 1, beginning with the competitive heat at 10 A.M. at Muddy Run Raceway, Smoke Run, PA
Non-competitive heats will begin at half hour intervals, starting at 10:30 and ending with the last heat at 1 p.m. Registrations will be accepted on Saturday. Vendors are still being welcomed. This is a good opportunity for any church, school or community organization to promote their group. If you would like to be a vendor, please call Cathy Duttry at 378-7582 or Doris Souder at dsouder2@verizon.net.
Penn State –DuBois Campus admissions representatives will be on site to answer any questions about their school. Vendors, live music and DJ services provided by Man With A Mustache and plenty of good food await you on Saturday.
According to organizers, you will not want to miss the event everyone will be talking about. For more information, please go to the KVR Web site. Bring your chair and be ready for a lot of laughter when you see the people, you would least expect, running through water and crawling in mud!