William L. McInnis grew up in Baton Rouge, LA and graduated high school from Central High in 1998. McInnis’s dream was to join the US Army and during his senior year of high school he enlisted in the US Army in the delayed entry program.
McInnis left home in June 1998 and went to Ft. Benning, GA for basic training and AIT as an Infantryman. He graduated basic and AIT in October 1998 and attend Airborne school. Upon completion of airborne school he reported to Ft. Bragg, NC in November 1998 and was assigned to Bco. 1/504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division. While assigned to Bco. McInnis held numerous position in a Rifle platoon such as Rifleman, Radio Telephone Operator (RTO), Grenadier, Assistant Machine Gunner, Machine Gunner, and Teamleader. In August of 2000 McInnis was assigned to Brigade Headquarter S3 shop as a driver and training Noncommissioned Office (NCO). In May of 2001 McInnis was promoted to the rank of E-5 Sergeant. In July of 2001 McInnis was reassigned to Ft. Polk, LA where he was assigned to Aco. 1/509th Airborne Infantry OPFOR for Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC). While assigned to 1/509th he held a rifle platoon Teamleader position and Liaison Noncommissioned Officer (LNO) position where he was responsible for training the augmentation units to support the 509th during the training rotations. In November or 2003 McInnis was reassigned to Cco. 1/503rd AASLT, 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Casey, Korea. There McInnis was a rifle squadleader. And was promoted to E-6 Staff Sergeant in July 2004. In August of 2004 the 1/503rd was deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. McInnis’s platoon was transferred to Dco. 1/503rd for the remainder of the deployment. While in Iraq McInnis conducted daily combat patrols in Ar Ramadi and was wounded and received the Purple Heart. In July 2005 the 1/503rd deployed back home to Ft. Carson, CO. In April of 2006 McInnis was reassigned to Eco. 2/58th Infantry Training Brigade (ITB) at Ft. Benning, GA as a Drill Sergeant. While assigned to Eco. 2/58th McInnis held the positions of Drill Sergeant and Senior Drill Sergeant. On January 1st 2008 McInnis was promoted to E-7 Sergeant First Class. In October 2009 McInnis was assigned as a Platoon Sergeant in Dco. 2/30th Infantry Regiment, 4th BCT, 10th Mountain Division at Ft. Polk, LA. In October of 2010 McInnis was deployed with his unit to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. While in Afghanistan McInnis conducted primarily Mounted patrols in the Kewair Valley and areas around FOB Shank and Fob Altimur in RC East. McInnis Unit returned to Ft. Polk in October 2011. After the Deployment McInnis was assigned as the First Sergeant for Dco. In September 2012 McInnis was selected by the Department of the Army to become an Equal Opportunity Advisor. After completing the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute McInnis reported to 2nd BCT, 25th Infantry Division, at Schofield Barracks, HI as the Brigade Equal Opportunity Advisor. After his Tour in Hawaii McInnis then reported to 3/16th Cavalry Regiment, 316 Cavalry, Armor School at Ft. Benning, GA in January 2016. While assigned to 3/16th CAV McInnis was assigned to the S-3 shop as the Operations NCO. In June of 2018 McInnis retired from the Army and moved back home to Walker, LA.
While in the Army McInnis attend several Leadership school like Primary Leadership Development Cource (PLDC), Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course (BNOC), Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course (ANOC), Drill Sergeant School, Company Commander/First Sergeants Course. Other schools he attended were Infantry Basic and AIT, Airborne School, Jumpmaster Course, Combatives Course, Combat Life Saver course, EO Advisors Course, Mediation Course, and Sexual Harassment Assault Reporting Program (SHARP).
McInnis has also earned numerous awards and badges during his 20 year career in the Army. He earned the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak leaf cluster for 4th award, Army Commendation Award with V device for Valor and 3 oak leaf cluster for 4th award, Army Achievement Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster for 2nd award, Valorous Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Award 6th award, National Defense Service Medal, Operation Enduring Freedom Campaign Medal with 2 Campaign stars, Operation Iraqi Freedom Medal with 1 Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with number 3 for 3rd award, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service ribbon with number 4 for 4th award, NATO ISAF Medal. Badges he earned where his Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Basic Airborne wings, Senior Jumpmaster Airborne Wings, and Drill Sergeant Badge.
William McInnis currently works for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (LDVA) as the Training and Development Program Manager, where he is responsible for training Veterans Assistance Counselors that man the 74 benefits and claims offices across the state. He began his employment with LDVA after his retirement from the Army. He lives in Walker, LA with his wife Leann McInnis who he has been married to since June 23, 2006 and their 3 kids, twin boys Carson and Caden McInnis born March 21, 2010 and their little girl Aubrey McInnis born December 12, 2014. William McInnis loves spending all of his free time with his family doing things like camping in their travel trailer, Hunting or fishing with his kids, Going to the Beach and Mountains are just relaxing at home.