Atlantic Diving Supply Veteran Highlight: Stuart Toney

Stuart Toney, Simulations & Training Category Manager at ADS, Inc., continued an impressive family legacy of service when he joined the Army after high school in 1997. One of his great grandfathers served in the Army in World War I, while one of his grandfathers served in the Army Air Corps in World War II and his other grandfather served in the Marines during the Korean War. His uncles, sister and cousins have also served in the military.

Stuart was an Active Duty soldier for twenty years, and during his time in the Army he advanced quickly through the ranks due to his willingness to serve, desire to learn and ability to lead. He consistently demonstrated his commitment to stay involved in boards, civilian and military education and was ready to take on every challenge he could. Stuart is a very proud Paratrooper, having served 12 of his 20 years on active Airborne status.

Beginning his service as a gunner, drive and patrolman, Stuart deployed multiple times during his service – to Saudi Arabia in 1998, Kosovo in 2001, to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2003 and spent a total of 29 months deployed supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom as a Squad Leader with “The Mighty” 118^th MP CO (Airborne).

Upon returning home in 2008 from his deployments, Stuart continued his service as a Small Arms & Crew Served Weapons Simulation and Counter Insurgency (COIN) Instructor, becoming a Senior Instructor and Small Group Leader (SGL) for the Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC) in 2009. In 2010, Stuart was named Brigade Operations NCO for the 14^th MP BDE, was promoted to Platoon Sergeant in 2011 with the 65^th MP CO (Airborne) and in 2013, served as Operations Sergeant at the 108^th MP CO (Airborne, Air Assault). From 2014 until his retirement in 2017, was an Observer Controller in Fort Polk, LA for the Operations Group JRTC Task Force 5 (Airborne). Stuart was also a Jump Master from 2012 until his retirement in 2017.

Upon retirement from the Army and in the wake of Hurricane Harvey’s devastation, Stuart’s resiliency was once again put to the test. The lessons he learned in the Army about accountability and overcoming adversity, having served as a leader in wartime and executing high risk training, afforded him the confidence that he could overcome even the most challenging situations. It is this strength of character that led Stuart to go back to school full time under the Post-911 GI Bill while still working more than 60 hours a week. Due to his unwavering commitment and dedication, he graduated in December 2019 with his Master’s Degree in Strategic Consulting.