Military Science Instructor

Sergeant First Class (SFC) Thomas Oliva is from Hickman, CA. He enlisted in the Army in July of 2006, as a Special Forces Candidate (18X). Upon completion of One Station Unit Training and Airborne School, he was assigned to the United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School (USAJFKSWCS) for Special Forces Assessment and Selection and the Special Forces Qualification Course. SFC Oliva graduated from USAJFKSWCS as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant (18D) in April 2010. He was then assigned to 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) (SFG(A)), where he served as a Special Forces Medical Sergeant and a Special Forces Senior Medical Sergeant. In 2017, he was assigned to the Noncommsioned Officer Academy (NCOA) at USAJFKSWCS where he served as a Small Group Leader and a Senior Small Group Leader for the Senior Leader Course for Career Management Field 18. Following his 4-year tenure at the NCOA he returned to 10th SFG(A). During his time with 10th SFG(A), he deployed to many countries to include Kenya, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and most recently, Estonia. SFC Oliva has deployed in support of many operations and campaigns, to include Operation ATLANTIC RESOLVE, Operation OCTAVE SHIELD, and Operation FREEDOM’S SENTINEL.

He has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Award), the Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award), the Joint Service Achievement Medal with “C” Device, the Army Achievement Medal (4th Award), and the Department of State Meritorious Honor Award.

He has achieved the Special Forces Tab, the Combat Infantry Badge, the Mountaineer Qualification Badge, the Basic Army Instructor Badge, the Military Freefall Basic Parachutist Badge, the Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Parachutist Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Senior Parachutist Badge.

SFC Oliva resides in Windsor with his Boxer, Hogan.