Keith Purnell was born in Birmingham, Alabama and raised in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. He graduated from Cleveland Heights High School on June 6, 1981.

He is married to Charlene Purnell, his wife of 38 years. They have two adult children, Lucas (Lindsey), and Christy (Alex). They also have five grandchildren and are expecting their sixth grandchild in July, 2026.

Keith joined the Army Reserve on April 25, 1981 and began his initial training on July 17, 1981 and underwent Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, SC and Combat Medic Training at Fort Sam Houston, TX. On November 9, 1982 he entered the active Army and received Infantry One-Station-Unit-Training (OSUT) at Fort Benning, Georgia. His active-duty assignments include the 9th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington, where he served as a 90 mm Recoilless Rifle gunner, DRAGON Anti Armor Specialist, and Rifle Team Leader. He then served with the 1st Armored Division, Bamberg, Germany as a Track Commander and Squad Leader. Upon his return from Germany, he served with the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Carson, Colorado as a Squad Leader. Keith then went on to serve as a Recruiter with the Army Recruiting Command, Pittsburgh PA. After leaving Recruiting Command, he was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division Light (L) Schofield Barracks, Hawaii where he served as an Infantry Squad Leader and Platoon Sergeant. SFC Purnell was then reassigned to Fort Gordon, Georgia where he instructed commissioned officers at the U.S. Army Signal Center. He went on to serve at the U.S. Army Training Center, Fort Jackson, SC as a Senior Drill Sergeant, a First Sergeant, and an instructor of Commissioned Officers at the Adjutant General School. Keith’s 22-year Army career culminated as an Assistant Senior and Senior Military Instructor in the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corp (ROTC) Program at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UW-L).

Keith’s military education includes the Infantry School, Primary Leadership Development Course (Honor Graduate), Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course (Commandant’s List), Army Recruiter Course, Air Assault School, and Drill Sergeant School.

His military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (3rd award), Army Commendation Medal (5th award), Army Achievement Medal (6th award), Good Conduct Medal (5th award), National Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3rd award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd award), Air Assault Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Army Recruiter Badge, and the Drill Sergeant Badge.

Keith’s post military career and education include employment with Platinum Disc Corporation (Audio and DVD fabrication and distribution) as a Production Manager and Plant Manager; he later worked as an Accountant for Dynamic Recycling; a Scholarship and Recruiting Officer for the ROTC Department at UW-L; and the Director of Military Aligned Student Program at Viterbo University.

He is very active at his church where he works part time and volunteers. He enjoys spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and friends.

Learn more at https://www.keithpurnellassembly.com/