National Resource Directory.gov

 

Joey Strickland - Director
Office of the Director
3839 North Third Street, Suite 209
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: 602-255-3373

 

Director Joey Strickland was appointed to head the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services in July 2008 after serving more than 10 years as the Deputy Secretary and Executive Director of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, responsible for overseeing five veterans’ nursing homes, one state veterans’ cemetery and the Department’s administrative and claims division.

At the national level, Director Strickland served as chairman of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee for Minority Veterans and is a past president of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA).  In 2007, Director Strickland was presented with the “Iron Mike” award by NASDVA in Washington D.C.  The “Iron Mike” award is presented to men and women who have demonstrated great leadership in service to our nation’s veterans.

Director Strickland was commissioned an Armor second lieutenant in 1974 and assigned to the 8th Infantry Division in the Federal Republic of Germany.  While in Germany, Director Strickland served as a platoon leader, company commander, and assistant operations officer at brigade level.  Upon completion of the Infantry Advanced Course in 1979, Director Strickland was selected to attend graduate school at Auburn University with subsequent assignment as a TAC Officer with the United States Corps of Cadets at the United States Military Academy.  Completing his tour of duty at West Point, he was promoted to major and assigned to the 5th Infantry Division at Fort Polk, Louisiana as an operations officer at both battalion and brigade level.

Upon graduation from high school in 1966, Director Strickland entered the Army as an Airborne Infantryman.  He served tours of duty with the 82ndAirborne Division at Fort Bragg and with the 1st Air Cavalry Division during 1967-1968 in Vietnam.  During 1970-1971, Director Strickland served a second combat tour in Vietnam with the First Aviation Brigade as a crew chief and door gunner on a UH-1H helicopter.  In 1971, he was promoted to staff sergeant and in 1972 he was selected for the U.S. Army’s “Degree Completion Program.” Director Strickland completed his BA Degree from Hampton University in 1973 and entered Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Director Strickland was selected to attend the Air Force Command and General Staff College in 1986 where he earned a second Masters’ Degree in International Relations and Foreign Policy/Aerospace Studies.  From 1988 to 1991, Director Strickland served as director of the Combined Arms Tactics Department, Command and General Staff College, School of the Americas, Fort Benning, Georgia.  In1991, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and served as battalion commander and Professor of Military Science at the University of Puerto Rico from 1991 to 1994. 

Director Strickland retired from active duty as a lieutenant colonel in August 1994 after serving nearly 29 years.  Upon retirement, he was appointed colonel in the Louisiana State National Guard by Governor Mike Foster and assigned to the Governor’s Military Advisory Commission. 

Director Strickland is a life member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and of the Disabled American Veterans.

Awards and Decorations

  • Legion of Merit
  • Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
  • Air Medal three awards
  • Army Commendation Medal with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
  • Army Achievement Medal
  • Army Good Conduct Medal
  • National Defense Service Medal 2 awards
  • Vietnam Service Medal with 7 battle stars
  • Overseas Service Ribbon with “3” device
  • Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
  • Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
  • Basic Parachutist Badge
  • Basic Army Aviation Badge

Military Schools and Courses

  • U.S. Army Basic Airborne Course
  • U.S. Army Infantry Advance Training Course
  • U.S. Army Armor Officer Basic Course
  • U.S. Army Armor Officer Motor Officer Course
  • U.S. Air Force Command and General Staff College
  • U.S. Army Foreign Area Officer Course
  • U.S. Army Armor Officer Field Grade Refresher Course
  • U.S. Army Inspector General Course
  • U.S. Army Training-Instructor Development Course

Director Strickland, who is American Indian of Choctaw-Cherokee-Lumbee descent, also served as Louisiana Director of Indian Affairs from 1996 to 2004, and served on several state commissions including the Governor’s Military Advisory Board.  In May 1995, he was selected from 80 candidates to serve as Louisiana State Director of Troops to Teachers as a member of the Louisiana Governor’s personal staff.