About Leo
Leo Dunson is a Pastor, Activist, Music Artist and decorated United States Army Combat Veteran. Leo graduated from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, receiving a B.A. in Political Science. Mr. Dunson served in the United States Army, Infantry, obtaining the rank of Sergeant and deploying to Iraq with the 172nd Stryker Brigade. Leo Dunson has appeared on several news media outlets to include NRATV, CNN, Fox News, Huff Post, BreitBart, the Associated Press and many other major news media outlets.
Education
Leo Dunson graduated from the University Of Nevada, Las Vegas in December 2019, with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Political Science. Leo often explains how it took him many years to finally graduate from College, mostly because he had to work and go to school at the same time. Leo also explains that College is where he adopted many of his Conservative views, even though he graduated with a liberal arts degree from UNLV. While attending UNLV Leo Dunson was elected as the Vice President of the Young Democrats Club. Mr. Dunson also attended the College of Southern Nevada graduating in 2011, with an Associates of General Studies, Degree. At the College of Southern Nevada Leo studied accounting and was a member of the left wing leaning Political Society Club.
Military Career
Leo Dunson went to basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia joining the U.S. Army in 2003.(BCT) consist of several weeks of intense training designed to hone your skills; teach you new skills, optimize your physical and mental performance.
After (BCT) Dunson went to(AIT) briefly taught him what it would be like to be an infantry man. They briefly covered room clearing techniques (MOUT), a few Battle drills, individual Movements, a couple formations and a few more briefly covered Infantry tactics says Dunson. After AIT he was off to his Duty Station in Fort Wainwright, Alaska. Where he was placed in the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. Dunson trained with his unit for a year and a half, before being deployed to Iraq in August 2005. The unit deployed to Mosul, Iraq. Duties of the unit during deployment included numerous patrol operations, searches for weapons caches, and counterinsurgency operations. Dunson was promoted to Sergeant in Country effective date 1 July 2006.
The 172nd Stryker Brigade along with Dunsons’ tour was to have ended on 27 July 2006, but the U.S. Army unexpectedly extended the deployment until the end of November 2006. During the extension, the unit was sent to Baghdad to quell growing sectarian violence concerns. The infamous extension of the deployment had happened after some of the units of the Brigade were already touched down at their home base of Ft Wainwright, AK, forcing them to fly back to staging areas in Iraq. The extension occurred after the unit’s regular 12-month tour was complete, making the deployment last for a total of 16 months. As a result of the unit’s action in Iraq, the brigade was awarded the Valorous Unit Award. SGT Dunson re-enlisted in Iraq completing his first full term of service. He also attended (WLC) previously called Professional Leadership Development Course (PLDC) in Fort Richardson, Alaska in September 2007. Shortly after returning home from War in Iraq, Leo was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). As a result Dunson received a Honorable Discharge for his first term of service and General Under Honorable Conditions discharge for his second term of service.
Commendations, Awards and Decorations:
* Combat Infantryman Badge
* Global War on Terrorism Medal
* Army Valorous Unit Citation
* Army Achievement Medal
* Iraq Campaign Medal
* Army Commendation Medal
* National Defense Service Medal
* Army Meritorious Unit Citation
* Joint Meritorious Unit Award
* Army Good Conduct Medal
* Expert Marksmanship Badge
* NCO Professional Development Ribbon
* Expert Grenade Badge
* Army Service Ribbon
* Expert Infantryman Badge
* Army Overseas Service Ribbon
And several other commendations and awards not listed..
Exodus Church with Leo Dunson (Podcast)
Weekly episodes are available online through all podcast platforms to include Apple Podcast, Spotify and all other major Podcast platforms.
Music Career
Shortly after leaving the Military diagnosed with PTSD. Leo Dunson started to make music as a healing method to coup with the Traumas of War. This music became therapy, not only for Leo, but also for many Military Veterans around the World. Leo wrote songs by his Military Rank, as his Music Artist name “SGT Dunson.”
As SGT Dunson, he recorded & produced seven albums “Life after the Military,” “From Boots to Books,” “God Bless America,” “War on the Home Front,” “American Soldier,” “To Hell and Back” and “Soldier Music.” The SGT’s discography listed is still currently available through all music streaming service platforms such as ITunes, Spotify, Tidal, Amazon and more.
Music played a very critical role for SGT Dunson in assimilating him back into civilian society. Using this avenue not only to enlighten the citizens about the unseen traumas of war, but also as a support and motivational mechanism for himself and others who suffered from depression, anxiety and PTSD. Leo’s last album as “SGT Dunson” spoke to the direction that he wanted to go and that’s having a “Life After The Military.”
Dunson has continued to record songs now releasing music albums as a Political Activist under his surname “Leo Dunson.” Thus far he has released one Political Hip Hop Music album entitled “Freed From Mental Slavery.” Which is a musical HipHop/Rap album that describes the difficulties of transitioning as a Black American from a “Democrat” or Progressive” ideology to a “Republican” or “Conservative” ideology in America. The “Black Trump Supporters” single song off of the album, charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
