Helping in Haiti

Col. Robin AkinCol. Robin Akin — currently serving as the commander of Joint Logistics Command in Haiti — is the first former University of Tennessee female cadet to be selected for the rank of brigadier general.

“There are only 22 female general officers in the entire Army, and Col. Akin’s selection is a significant achievement for her, UT, and our ROTC program,” said Lt. Col. Dave Leach, professor of military science and leadership.

As commander of the Joint Logistics Command Haiti, Akin is in charge of more than 1,875 soldiers, sailors, Marines, and civilians whose mission is to ensure U.S. forces in Haiti have food, water, spare parts, and medical support. The command is working to keep cargo moving through Haiti’s port and has helped the World Food Program distribute rice to 2 million Haitians in the wake of the earthquake. For more about the Joint Logistics Command in Haiti and its work, see www.army.mil/3rdesc.

A 1982 UT graduate, Akin has a master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University and a master of strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.

Her military schooling includes the Quartermaster Officer’s Basic and Advanced Courses, Airborne School, Parachute Rigger Course, Jumpmaster Course, Logistics Executive Development Course, Support Operations Course, Command and General Staff College and Armed Forces Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College. She has received the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Southwest Asia Battle Streamer. She holds the Master Parachutist Badge, Parachute Rigger Badge, and Romanian and Germany Airborne Wings.

Torchbearer coverAssignments have taken her to Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Carson, Colo.; Fort Lee, Va.; Camp Smith, Hawaii; Fort Knox, Ky.; Korea; Germany; Southwest Asia; and Iraq.

Read more about Akin, and other UT alumni serving in the U.S. military, in the upcoming issue of Torchbearer, in mailboxes next month!

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3 comments

Mary Scott March 10, 2010 - 11:26 am

I would like to get Col. Robin Atkin’s e-mail so we can connect. We have a school in Port au’ prince, Haiti and we will be taking trips to Haiti to help with whatever as soon as possible. We already have had one small trip to go last week and their amazing story is on our web site- haitichildsponsorship.org I would love for Robin to look at our web site and then contact me. I am Mary Scott and my husband is Charlie Scott. We helped start the school in Pele about 28 years ago.

I enjoyed reading abut Col Robin and I am so glad that a U T alumni is heading up this important work. Thank you for all of us who love our Haiti friends and the children envolved in our school. I hope to hear fro you.

Mary Scott

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Mary Scott March 10, 2010 - 11:34 am

1. Mary Scott on March 10th, 2010 at 11:26 am: Your comment is awaiting moderation.

I would like to get Col. Robin Atkin’s e-mail so we can connect. We have a school in Port’ au’ Prince, Haiti and we will be taking trips to Haiti to help with whatever as soon as possible. We already have had one small trip to go last week and their amazing story is on our web site- haitichildsponsorship.org I would love for Robin to look at our web site and then contact me. I am Mary Scott and my husband is Charlie Scott. We helped start the school in Pele about 28 years ago.

I enjoyed reading abut Col Robin and I am so glad that a U T alumni is heading up this important work. My husband and i are both U T graduates in the class of 1959-60. Thank you for all of us who love our Haiti friends and the children envolved in our school. I hope to hear from you.

Mary Scott

Reply
Donald Plater March 14, 2010 - 12:03 pm

As a UT grad and former ROTC cadet at Tennessee, it makes me proud not only of Robin’s accomplishments, buit of the University as a whole. What I learned so long ago as a student and cadet has carried me well throught out my Army career and now as a Federal worker. Still proud to call UT my alma mater.

Still serving our great Nation.
Donald Plater

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