It was a moving ceremony for Col. Dan Orrico May 24, at his Walden Lake home. Thirty years in the U.S. Army had all led up to that one moment: retirement.
His wife, Shelly, set a table to remember fallen soldiers. His eyes filled with tears as each of his five children made their way down the aisle to him, proudly holding flags from the state or country in which they were born. Then came the showering of awards and accolades.
“It was a very nice ceremony,” Orrico said. “It was a capstone event for my career. I don’t really consider myself a hero. I just served for 30 years and got to serve with a lot of wonderful men and women.”
Orrico did come in contact with a variety of service members and civilians from different countries. He’s been to South Korea, Bosnia, Germany, Africa and all over the U.S. while serving in the medical field as a senior joint medical operations and plans officer, deputy commander, chief operating officer, deputy surgeon, medical operations division chief and more. He was responsible for organizing medical units, overseeing hospitals and planning evacuations and emergency protocols.
“It’s always been one of the honors of my career to take the sons and daughters of America in their most frail state and work hard to get them back home to being whole,” Orrico said.
The Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, a Bronze Star, a Defense Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and numerous more all make up parts of his being, too.
As he ruminates on a successful run with the U.S. Army, he is still ready to keep going.
Railroad to ROTC
A 22-year-old Orrico had just been laid off from the Milwaukee Road as an assistant foreman in the mid-1980s. He had dropped out of college and wanted his job back. So he went to the railroad’s office to talk to his employers. They told him no.
On his way home, he drove by the local university and saw a sign outside for the professor of military science. Something in that sign snagged his interest. Turning his car around, he parked and went inside. Entering the hallway, he saw a light at the end. It was the professor’s office.
Orrico entered with no reservations.
“Pardon sir, I’d like an ROTC scholarship,” Orrico said.
The professor was a bit taken back at his confidence. But, he was intrigued.
That was on a Thursday. The next Tuesday, Orrico was on a plane to Fort Knox for processing. He went to a type of bootcamp where he could earn a scholarship to study. He was under no obligation to be there, but it was his only chance to earn a scholarship. The rest had been given out already.
“Mom was tickled I was doing this,” Orrico said. “She thought I was wasting my life away on the railroad.”
Orrico was making $15.60 a day at ROTC camp. During that time, the railroad did call him and offered him his job back. But he had made up his mind. He told them he’d call them if the military didn’t work out.
For his dedication, Orrico did earn the scholarship. He went to the University of Wisconsin and obtained his bachelor’s in microbiology. He picked the medical field when he went on active duty in 1984 as an officer.
Although, he thought he might want to be in an airborne unit eventually. In 1987, he went to airborne school as a captain. The school was rigorous; it required the service members to run nonstop and work out in a sawdust pit.
He made his five jumps out of a tower but stayed a “five-jump chump,” as service members liked to tease. He never went into an airborne unit to make his sixth jump outside of school.
And even though jumping out of towers was exciting, Orrico decided his talents were put to better use elsewhere.
“I really started to like the leadership roles,” Orrico said. “I found out I was good at planning.”
So began his career working to implement medical protocol and oversee the well-being of the troops.
Around the world
From the sands of Egypt and Saudi Arabia to the green wet forests of Washington state, Orrico has seen a lot.
In the mid-1990s, he deployed out of Germany to Bosnia. His task force was finally able to move from the muddy fields of the agrarian town they were in to a wicker and tobacco factory nearby. The wicker and tobacco were produced in one half of the factory, and his task force occupied the other half. They fixed vehicles and provided ammunition, food and parts. They also had to dodge tricky checkpoints to separate the warring factions.
A piece of wood art hangs on one of the walls of Orrico’s house from this time. The factory owner gave it to him.
After 9/11 he was involved in providing support. He also was heavily involved in planning support for the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, all while getting his master’s in organizational leadership.
Out of everywhere he’s been, Germany has been his favorite, though.
“It was tough but I enjoyed it a lot,” Orrico said about moving around the world. “I enjoyed Europe. It was an opportunity to travel. Skiing and winter sports are amazing.”
And through all those moves, Orrico’s family was by his side.
“It was challenging for them, too,” Orrico said. “They had to start at new schools and make new friends. But it gave them a worldly view.”
Colonel and beyond
When Orrico was promoted to the rank of colonel Feb. 1, 2007, he reached the pinnacle of his career.
“That’s not a recognition given to all,” Orrico said. “Making it to retirement is successful. Being a colonel is pretty special.”
His ceremony was at MacDill Air Force base. His mother pinned him. He knew it was probably his last promotion.
“It was pretty cathartic,” Orrico said. “I felt like I still had work to do and continue with executive leadership. They say colonels run an army and generals guide it.”
During his second stint in Germany from 2010 to 2013, Orrico deployed to Afghanistan, where he managed all the medical services including veterinarian and preventative medicine and hospitals, all while reducing the medical footprint in the country while troops were pulling out.
He ended his career on a high note and is now looking to continue his innate desire for leadership in a position in the civilian world.
“I can tell you, this nation should be proud of its military,” Orrico said. “They put it all on the line. It’s an honor to be part of that organization.”