AFRH-W Resident Highlight – Thomas W. Woodruff, Jr.
By Christine Baldwin, Librarian

Thomas W. Woodruff, Jr. served over 20 years on active duty in the United States Army and retired as First Sergeant/E-8 with an honorable discharge in November 1985. During his military career, he served as a Military Police (MP) Officer, a Military Police Investigator (MPI) and as a Criminal Investigator/Special Agent (CID Special Agent) with the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command, and also served in several other military occupational specialties. He completed the Basic and Advanced Forensic Hypnosis classes at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Academy, and attended several other law enforcement related schools.

He was stationed in Vietnam, Germany, Ft. Myer, Virginia, Ft. Hood, Texas, Ft. Polk, Louisiana, Ft. Benning, Georgia, and at Ft. Riley, Kansas and received military-related training at various other military installations.

Thomas has accumulated many awards to include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award), Combat Infantryman Badge, Airborne Parachute Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct (6th Award), Meritorious Citation, Vietnam Service Medal (3 Bronze Stars), Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (5th Award), NCO Professional development Ribbon (4th Award), selection as the Fifth U.S. Army Outstanding Soldier, and also received numerous letters of appreciation.

Following his military service, Thomas was employed as a police officer in Kansas. In 1991, after resigning from the police department, he founded TWIA, a nationwide professional consulting service. He is a licensed private investigator in Kansas and Virginia with reciprocity throughout the United States, and a qualified retired Department of Defense (DoD) law Enforcement Officer (LEOSA). Thomas’ training and experience also include employment as a criminal defense investigator in Missouri and Kansas, and conducted top-secret background investigations for security clearances, as a contractor, on behalf of the U.S. Department of State (DoS), Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and various other agencies of the federal government.

Thomas attended Central Texas College and received an associate degree with a major in law enforcement, a bachelor’s degree from Troy University with a major in criminal justice and a minor in military science. He also attended graduate school at Troy University with a major in criminal justice.

Thomas is an Elder who adheres to the principles ordered by Jesus Christ in Holy Scripture. He said he stopped smoking and consuming alcoholic beverages, etc., when he was baptized in 1972 because his body became the temple of the Holy Spirit. Also, he has been a vegetarian since September 1996.

He is married to Reverend Dr. Theresa Scott-Woodruff.  Thomas is people oriented and enjoys reading, walking, martial arts, listening to music, watching movies and playing the violin.