Veteran of the Month – August 2024

Petty Officer 2nd Class Duwayne ‘Cowboy’ Rikard

The Simpsonville Sentinel is proud to introduce our Veteran of the Month, E-5 Petty Officer 2nd Class Duwayne ‘Cowboy’ Rikard, a native South Carolinian.  Cowboy was born in Greenwood and raised in Saluda, and outside of his 6 years serving in the active-duty Navy, has lived his entire life here in SC. 

Duwayne joined the Navy and trained initially as a Machinist Mate working in the Engineering areas of the John F Kennedy Aircraft Carrier he served on. He worked his way into Security/Law Enforcement and became the Master at Arms.

In this role during Operation Desert Storm, he ran investigations, served on teams to stop drug and human trafficking, pirate interdictions, and stopping prohibited weapons systems from getting into the hands of terrorists. Duwayne worked in the dangerous waters around Africa where pirating is the worst, and in the Caribbean. 

After leaving the military, Duwayne returned to Greenwood to manage utilities at a local natural gas plant. 

Duwayne enjoys spending quality time with his two sons and two grandsons. He also enjoys teaching a variety of courses from survival to weapons and tactics to civilians in the community. He is an avid fisherman, especially trout fishing, and enjoys camping and hunting as well. As an American Patriot through and through, ‘Cowboy’ has a NEVER GIVE UP attitude toward our God-given rights of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, in short Freedom isn’t Free. He was instrumental in the South Carolina 2nd Amendment Sanctuary County effort which can be found on Facebook, and the Survival Wolves Facebook Group.

Thanks, Duwayne, for your military service, and continuing service to our community.●