Military

Keith Maynard enlisted as an infantryman in the Maryland Army National Guard (MDARNG) in March of 1993 when he was a senior in high school.

Upon graduation he attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Ft. Benning, Georgia.

During his time at the University of Delaware he joined the Army ROTC program and received a commission in the Infantry. He completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Ft. Benning and became a Platoon Leader.

After September 11, 2001, Mr. Maynard had to leave his third year of law school when was activated in support of Operation Noble Eagle For one year.

At the end of his active military service he completed law school and began his legal career.

After his time at the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, he attended the Army Initial Entry Rotary Wing course at Ft. Rucker, Alabama and became a rated aviator in the UH-60 Blackhawk.

He spent the next few years as a MEDEVAC team leader, Assault Company Commander, Battalion S2/S3, Battalion Liasion Officer, Brigade Liasion Officer, and an Assistant Brigade S3.

In August 2011 Mr. Maynard was once again called to active duty and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn.

During that time he served in the Brigade Planning Cell and was sent throughout Iraq to coordinate aviation support for ground forces throughout the theater of operations.

Mr. Maynard was responsible for planning aviation operations and played a significant role in the planning effort to redeploy all U.S. forces out of Iraq in 2011 in accordance with the President’s directives.

The 29th Combat Aviation Brigade was successful in redeploying all of the Army Aviation assets out of Iraq by the deadline with no loss of life or aircraft.

Other Military Experience and Support

In addition to supporting combat missions in theater, Mr. Maynard was an integral part of the planning and execution of the Vice President’s visit to Baghdad and the Secretary of Defense’s participation in the Iraq Campaign End of Mission ceremony.

After leaving Iraq, Mr. Maynard was stationed in Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield and Enduring Freedom.

He spearheaded the effort to get all of the pilots in the 29th CAB qualified and proficient at operating on U.S. Navy ships stationed throughout the Persian Gulf.

His efforts led to the first ever Deck Landing Qualified Apache Battalion in the U.S. Army.

In addition to his duties as a staff officer, Mr. Maynard was required to fly in Iraq and Kuwait on a regular basis to maintain his proficiency and support the 29th CAB’s mission.

Mr. Maynard was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for service as well as the Iraq Campaign Medal and several other medals for his accomplishments.

Mr. Maynard has attended the Army Airborne school, the Nuclear Chemical and Biological Warfare school, High Altitude Aviation Training school, the Pre-Ranger Course, Infantry Officer Basic Course, Aviation Officer Basic Course, Captain’s Career Course and SERE school.

He continues to serve as an Aviation Officer with the 29th CAB.