MADISON – Retiring as a Sergeant Major, Bobby E. Lee began his military career as an officer with commissioning by University of Alabama ROTC in 1984.

He first served as Platoon Leader in 1st Battalion, 167th Mechanized Infantry, Alabama Army National Guard. In January 1986, he assessed into the Active Army as Infantry Officer.

After completing initial training at Fort Benning, Ga., Lee was assigned to 4th Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. In December 1989, he deployed with Operation Just Cause.

He then was assigned to 2nd Brigade, 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) in August 1990 and deployed with Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He served as Deputy Brigade Adjutant and Commander of Company C, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment.

After his assignment to Fort Stewart, Ga., Lee worked as Assistant Professor of Military Science at East Tennessee State University. He joined Tennessee Army National Guard in 1995, serving full time until retirement.

His other deployments included two tours for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Gustav for hurricane relief in Baton Rouge, La.

Lee retired from the Army in September 2020 as Operations Sergeant Major, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Currently, he works as a civilian contractor for PEO Aviation at Redstone Arsenal.

When he retired, Bobby and his wife, Ashleigh, moved to Madison County. “We’re happy to be back in God’s Country. Bobby is no longer the most hated man on his street the third Saturday in October for the Alabama – Tennessee football game,” Ashleigh said.

The Lees have two sons, Matthew and Patrick, along with one grandson and one granddaughter.

Bobby’s pastimes are playing golf and working in the yard. Ashleigh enjoys her role as ‘Grams’ and tending to Jaxson, a therapy dog.

Bobby is an active Life Member of both American Legion, Post 229 in Madison and Gentry-Isom VFW Post 2702 in Huntsville and a member of Redstone Arsenal Sergeant’s Major Association.

His honors include Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and medals for Meritorious Service, Army Commendation, Army Achievement, Army Good Conduct, Iraqi Campaign, Global War on Terrorism, National Defense Service, Armed Forces Expeditionary, Southwest Asia Service (two Bronze Stars) and Kuwait Liberation.

In addition, he earned Ranger Tab and badges for Master Parachutist (Bronze Combat Star), Air Assault, Expert Infantryman, Combat Infantryman, Master Gunner and Combat Action.

Bobby earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.