Scott Cameron

Major (Ret) Scott Donald Cameron

{Major (Retired) Scott Donald Cameron was born Aug 17, 1965 in California. Scott obtained his pilot’s license at the age of 16.

Major (Retired) Scott D. Cameron, enlisted in the Washington Army National Guard in 1988. He served as a Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP) Cadet with the 286th Engineer Company, in Bellingham, WA, while attending the University of Washington, Seattle. Scott was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant (LT) in January of 1990 in the Corps of Engineers Branch.

Scott served as a Platoon Leader, within the 286th Engineer Company (Co) in Bellingham WA. In September 1990, he transferred to the California Army National Guard (CAARNG). As a 2nd LT, Scott served as Platoon Leader of Co C, 132nd Engineer (En) Battalion (Bn) in Oroville/Nevada City, CA. Scott completed the Basic Engineer Officer’s Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo, in 1991. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in January of 1993.

LT Cameron graduated from the Advanced Engineer Officer’s Course in 1995. In May of 1995, Scott became the Executive Officer for Co D, 132nd En Bn, in Mount Shasta/Yreka, CA and later commanded the same company in 1996. In October 1996, Scott took command of Co B, again in the 132nd. Promoting to Captain (CPT) in July,1997, he continued to serve as Co. Commander through April 2002, when Scott became the Supply officer (S4) for the Bn in Sacramento, CA.

CPT Cameron graduated from the Combined Arms Staff Service School in Boise, ID in 2002. In Dec. of 04, Scott was promoted to the rank of Major and became the Executive Officer for the 579th Engineer Bn, CAARNG, in Santa Rosa, CA.

In 2008, Scott moved to the Joint Force Headquarters, (JFHQ) California National Guard, in Sacramento. Scott was the only National Guard officer selected to attend the U. S. Naval War College of Naval Command and Staff College in Newport, RI. He graduated completing Joint Professional Military Education in 2009. While there Scott earned a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies with Halsey Scholar honors. Back at JFHQ, Scott worked full-time in the State Military Department, serving as and Operations Officer, Facilities Construction Management Engineer and finally as an Engineer Branch Chief until his retirement in 2012.

As Chief of the State Military Department’s Engineering Branch, Scott managed a multidisciplinary staff of architects, engineers, drafters and construction inspectors responsible for design, review and/or quality assurance and supervision of military construction projects involving over 140 readiness centers, training sites and other installations operated by the California National Guard.

Scott actively led soldiers in ten Defense Support of Civil Authorities and three overseas training missions over the course of his 24-year Army career. Highlights include Los Angeles Riots, Southwest Border missions, Hurricane Katrina, Northern California Floods. In addition, Scott supervised soldiers in a training support mission in Panama and two in the Ukraine.

Scott earned a bachelor’s degree in Engineering and was a registered Professional Engineer (PE) in California. Scott worked for over 25 years as a private practice Civil Engineer in California. This experience included engineering design on behalf of both private land developers and various cities and counties. Scott designed and coordinated numerous commercial developments, large residential subdivisions, golf courses, and public improvement projects throughout northern California, and also assisted local county and city agencies in preparing master development and disaster mitigation and response plans.

Scott’s U.S. Army awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (2nd award), Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (7th award), National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal with bronze star, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with silver hourglass, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon with Numeral 2.

CAARNG State Awards include Adjutant General’s Meritorious Unit Citation, California Counterdrug Service Ribbon (5 awards), California State Service Ribbon (4 awards), California Drill Attendance Ribbon (15 awards), California Service Medal with bronze redwood cluster, and Louisiana Emergency Service Award. Scott also proudly wore the Bronze DeFleury Medal, an Army Engineer Association award given to honor those with significant contributions to Army Engineering.

Scott maintained numerous professional affiliations. He served as the Vice Chair, Emergency Function 7 (Logistics) Working Group, California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA) Some others he was proud of include: Vice Chair, Emergency Function 3 (Public Works) Working Group, Cal EMA Safety Assessment Program Evaluator & Instructor/Trainer, Cal EMA; Life Member, Society of American Military Engineers (SAME); Chair, Readiness Committee, and Member, Board of Directors, Sacramento Post, SAME; Life Member, United States Naval War College Foundation; Member, National Guard Association of the United States; Member, National Guard Association of California; Member, American Legion (Post 130, Grass Valley California); Member, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

In 2014, Scott began teaching for Freedom Project Academy, a web-based online academy serving grades K-12. Scott has taught 6th grade math as well as Trigonometry and Calculus to high schoolers. He most recently taught the “Bible as Culture” course. He was a respected, dedicated instructor, serving right up until in his final days.

Scott is the son of the late Dr. Donald George and Doris Corrine Cameron, originally from Buffalo, NY. Scott is survived by his wife April of Grass Valley and children: Matthew of Grass Valley; Cadet Autumn, attending University of Nevada, Reno; Lance Corporal Donald, stationed at Marine Barracks, Washington, DC; Elizabeth, Joshua and Rachel, of Grass Valley.