About Kelley G. Culver

Kelley G. Culver, Maj. (Ret.), US Air Force

I am originally from Houston, Texas. Following high school, I attended college for one year, but was not a model student, so in an effort to avoid the draft, I enlisted in the US Air Force in 1972. Air Force enlisted personnel recognize that, in the Air Force, the officers fight the war, and the enlisted men stay safely behind the lines.

While enlisted, I served as a medical services specialist, operating room technician, computer operator, and technical training instructor. I attended NCO Leadership School in 1975 and completed the NCO Academy by correspondence in 1978.

I eventually received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Wayland Baptist University in 1980 and a Master of Science degree in human resource management from Central Michigan University in 1987. I received an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from Augusta State University in 2000.

I was commissioned through Officers Training School in March 1981, and was assigned to Minuteman III Launch Control Officer training at Vandenberg AFB, CA. Afterward, I was assigned to the 742^nd Strategic Missile Squadron, Minot AFB, North Dakota.

In February 1983, I was reassigned to the 831^st Air Division, George AFB, California, as Chief of Data Automation. Following the merger of communications and data automation in 1984, I was reassigned to the 2067^th Communications Squadron, George AFB, California, as the Chief of Communications-Electronics Operations. Also, in 1984, I attended Squadron Officers School.

In March 1986, I moved to Headquarters, Strategic Air Command, Offutt AFB, Nebraska, where I served as a communications-computer plans officer working programs such as the Peacekeeper Rail Garrison Missile Program, B-2 Bomber Program, and strategic re-basing issues. In May 1989, I became Assistant Executive Officer and Aide-de-Camp to the Commander, Strategic Communications Division.

In July 1990, I was reassigned to Patrick AFB, Florida as Commander, 21^st Combat Communications Squadron. In this position, I lead my squadron during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991. My squadron also deployed in support of drug interdiction operations in Central America, hurricane relief operations in south Florida, and humanitarian relief efforts in Somalia.

My military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service Medal with one service star, Southwest Asia Service Medal with two service stars, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) and the Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait).

I retired in September 1995 in the grade of Major. Following retirement, I spent one year as administrator of a hospital specializing in child and adolescent psychiatric care. In 1996, I began teaching in a private high school, and have taught math, computer science, and theology. I served five years as assistant principal, and have now returned to the classroom where I teach computer science and theology.

Since 2005, I have been involved as a speaker for Veterans for Peace and have spoken at functions in both Georgia and South Carolina. The memoirs of my military career will be published in late 2006. Information on my book can be found here.

Kelley G. Culver's Statement in Support of First Lieutenant Ehren Watada

[read by VFP member Debbie Clark within the context of her own remarks at a press conference at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center in Atlanta, June 27, 2007, and published widely on the internet]

In 1990, I was commander of an Air Force Combat Communication Squadron deployed to the Persian Gulf for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. At the time of the deployment, I was opposed to the war because it was obvious that the true reason was not the liberation of Kuwait from Iraq, but the protection of American oil interests in the Persian Gulf.

The true purpose of this war was obvious. The US had been a supporter of Saddam Hussein's government in the years prior to the war, and had previously turned a blind eye to Hussein's activities. Suddenly in 1990, the United States was outraged at his actions. We went to war on a tapestry of lies.

The current war in Iraq was also started on a tapestry of lies. Neither the situation in 1990 nor the situation today justifies the loss of American military men and women.

In 1990, I opposed the war in the Persian Gulf, but I deployed and served in spite of my objections. My reasons, simply put, were that I had a career at stake. To refuse to deploy would have ended that career. I was not willing to pay that price.

Today, we assemble in support of Lt. Ehren Watada, who, realizing the illegal nature of the war in Iraq, has chosen to do what I could not do 16 years ago. People will call him a coward for his actions, but I can assure you, this is the action of a brave man.

Today I add my support to the cause of Lt. Watada and I thank him for taking the stand that I was unable to take myself.