Dr. Anthony Caudle was named “Soldier of the Year” while serving in Korea and “NCO of the Year” while in 101st Airborne at Fort Campbell. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Retiring in Madison seemed appropriate for self-described “home-grown guy” Dr. Anthony Caudle.

He often found his career as an ordnance missile technician bringing him back to North Alabama. “The weather is great. Here, we get all four seasons,” Caudle said.

“Madison/Huntsville offer a remarkable combination of Southern hospitality and high-tech culture at a lower-than-average cost of living,” he said.

Caudle entered the U.S. Army in 1980. He reached the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Five.

He completed basic training at Fort McClellan and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Redstone Arsenal. “I was stationed in Korea twice and at several U.S. bases, including Fort Campbell, Ky.; Redstone Arsenal; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Lewis, Wash.; and Fort Rucker,” Caudle said.

He is a veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and Operation Just Cause in Panama, among others.

During his first tour in Korea, Caudle was named “Soldier of the Year.” He was honored as “NCO of the Year” while serving with the 101st Airborne at Fort Campbell.

After graduating from Bob Jones High School, Caudle earned an A.A. degree in Applied Science, Missile & Munitions Technology at Calhoun Community College.

Caudle earned a bachelor’s degree in management of technology at Athens State University. In Arlington, Va., he received a master’s degree in acquisition management at the University of Management and Technology (UMT). Also at UMT, Caudle completed a doctorate degree in business administration and leadership.

His wife Angela, a graduate of Bob Jones and Alabama A&M University, currently is employed as a project management specialist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Their son Austin, 18, graduated from James Clemens High School and is attending the University of Alabama in Huntsville on a track scholarship.

Anthony Caudle is a member of United States Warrant Officers Association. His favorite pastimes are working in his yard and watching his son Austin run in track meets.