CPT Dana Spinks is a native of Washington, New Jersey. She earned her commission from the Seton Hall Pirate Battalion as an Aviation Second Lieutenant. From there, CPT Spinks attended the USAACE Flight School at Fort Rucker, Alabama and earned her wings as a Blackhawk Pilot.
She has served in the New Jersey National Guard, New York National Guard, and the Active Army. She served as a both a Battalion S3 and platoon leader in the 2916th Aviation Battalion, flying both MEDEVAC and VIP missions at Fort Irwin, CA CPT Spinks also served in the First Air Cavalry Brigade at Fort Cavazos, TX as the Brigade Commander’s Adjunct and Brigade Assistant Operations Officer. CPT Spinks was the Company Commander of A/2-227 “Vulture Aviation” the Command Aviation Company of the First Air Cav and completed 26 months in command which included 10 months forward stationed in EUCOM.
CPT Spinks’ education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from Seton Hall University with Minors in History, German, and Military Science. She is a graduate of the Aviation Basic Officer’s Leader’s course, Flight School XXI, DUNKER, SERE, the Aviation Captain’s Career Course (Commandant’s List), and the Aviation Mission and Survivability Course. She is currently in training to acquire her civilian Commercial Aviation licenses in Fixed Wing Aircraft. She is a qualified Pilot in Command of the UH-60 and Air Mission Commander of all Rotary Wing airframes.
CPT Spinks’ military awards include the Senior Aviation Badge, Silver Spurs, Meritorious Service Medal, and she is a member of the Order of St. Michael (Bronze). CPT Spinks has been published in Army Aviation Digest for her work in developing survivability tactics for Aviation rearming and refueling points.
CPT Spinks is currently the Assistant Operations Officer and Assistant Professor of Military Science of the Three River’s Battalion.
