Commander Manuel Rodriguez

Manuel M. Rodriguez was born in Clarkdale, Arizona. He grew up in Bisbee and was an educator for over thirty years in Yuma County. Prior to retirement he joined DAV Chapter #11 in Yuma and served the obligatory chairs, including Chapter Commander. After several years at the chapter level he was asked to participate at the department level. His assignments at the department level have been Second Junior Vice Commander, First Junior Vice Commander, and Senior Vice Commander. He was elected Department Commander June 5, 2010.

Rodriguez was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1965. After basic training at Ft. Bliss, Texas he completed Chemical School a Ft. McClellan, Alabama and eventually ordered to Tech Escort Unit, Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland. In November 1966 he received orders for Vietnam where he was assigned to the 184th Chemical Platoon with the lst Cavalry Division (Airmobile) until rotating home November 1967.

He has earned both BS in Secondary Education and M.ED. in Secondary Education Degrees from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. He has also attended Oregon State University, Pepperdine University and Western New Mexico State University

Married to Blanca, Manuel has six sons, one daughter, and one granddaughter. Sports and reading are activities he enjoys in his spare time.