Derek Simmons

Derek Simmons was born in Evreux, Eure France many, many years ago to a loving military family. Along with his twin brother, Dennis, they were the last of a family of seven. Back stateside, Derek grew up in many different military towns before finally settling down in Montana. He went to several schools throughout the state, but finally managed to finish his last four years of school and graduated in Red Lodge, Montana. Home of the mighty Redskins!!

Joining the U.S. Army before graduating in 1980, Derek was ready to embark on a great journey ! During his 14-year military career, he was able to travel the world. Being assigned to several overseas bases like Giessen and Friedberg, both of which were in Germany and doing a stint in Seoul, South Korea. He served in Saudi Arabia during Operation Restore Freedom and a six-month tour in Mogadishu, Somalia during Operations Restore Hope and Continue Hope. With several stateside assignments under his belt, he finally was stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, when a horrific accident ended his military career.

Even with great effort and determination, Derek was unable to convince the U.S. Army and the U.S.Department of Defense that he was ready to re-enter active duty, Derek was medically retired from the military in 1999. Unable to work due to his disabilities, Derek needed something to do. Wanting to give back his community and his country, Derek started giving it his full attention to learning all he could about what benefits and entitlements that were out there for active duty military personnel, retired veterans and retired veterans with disabilities in the state of Arizona. After researching all he could about Arizona, Derek set his sights on Texas, which seemed to be a great stumbling block – Derek was not deterred. After finding out what the great state of Texas had to offer, Derek then set his sights on his home state of Montana and what it had to offer its military personnel, retired veterans and retired veterans with disabilities. Eventually, Derek plans on writing about every state. There are a tremendous amount of benefits and entitlements out there for our military and our veterans.

Derek is the proud father of a great son and two beautiful and wonderful daughters. And now he is a grandfather of five great little boys and one beautiful little girl. Derek currently resides in Prescott, Arizona.