Neshoba County native promoted to U.S. Army Colonel

Stallo native La’Shonia Rush White, daughter of Sgt. Eugene and Mrs. Eddie Lee Rush, was promoted this spring by the Army Surgeon General and Commander, Army Medical Command Lieutenant General R. Scott General to the rank of colonel in the United States Army. Col. White was promoted in the historic Hall of Heroes of the Pentagon, Washington, DC in front of a host of family and friends. 

Col White’s military career began in 1991 as an enlisted Soldier. She served for eight years as an administrative specialist in the HHC, 298th Combat Support Battalion (CSB), out of Philadelphia, Mississippi Army National Guard until graduating with a Master of Science degree in Counselor Education from Mississippi State University in 1999. 

In 2000, Col. White was awarded a direct commission into the United States Army Reserve and served as a Patient Administration Division Officer in the 330th Combat Support Hospital in Millington, Tenn., until a year later when she was awarded an Active Duty Army Direct Commission.

Throughout her military career, taking care of soldiers and improving systemic processes have been a motivating factor in the numerous leadership positions throughout her active duty career. Col. White’s leadership positions include Platoon Leader, Company Commander, Chief, Behavioral Health (BH) Department, Chief, Multi-Disciplinary BH Clinic, and Chief, Family Advocacy Program while serving in the United States, Germany, and deployed to Iraq. 

After a successful company command in 2008, Col. White was enrolled in the Fayetteville State University, inaugural Army Medical Department Center and School’s Master of Social Work program for military officers. Col. White completed the abbreviated graduate degree program and licensure requirements to receive independent licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2010. 

She currently works as a BH Staff Officer for the Army Surgeon General, Falls Church, Va. She serves as a BH subject matter expert for issues pertaining to the prevention of suicide, sexual assault/harassment, other self-harming behaviors, and harmful behaviors against others.

Col. White is from a family of men and women who have to bravely served in the U.S. Armed Services. Her maternal grandfather, the late Leo Perryman of Stallo, served in the Army during World War II and reached the rank of Staff Sergeant prior to the end of his military service.     

Her father retired as a Non-Commissioned Officer and served in the 367th Maintenance Company, Philadelphia, MS Army National Guard. Her younger brother Corey served with her in the same unit in Philadelphia. Corey later joined the US Army Reserve and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Her youngest brother, Aundre’, served on active duty for approximately 10 years as an Army Signal/ Communications NCO and also deployed in support of OEF. After engaging in enemy fire, Aundre’ was awarded the Combat Action Badge; a badge no other family member holds. Key supporters throughout our service include their mother, Eddie Lee Rush and brother, Victor Rush. 

Col. White met her husband Demetrius while both were pursuing bachelor degrees at Mississippi State University. Demetrius was commissioned as an Air Defense Artillery Officer and later deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Fox. Demetrius completed his military service obligation in Germany as a Captain. He continues to serve the military as a Department of the Army Civilian Financial Management Analyst in the Army Budget Office, Pentagon, Washington, DC.  

Col. White has a host of uncles and cousins who have also served in the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines. Many have also deployed and fought in defense of the U.S. in the countries of Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, or Korea. 

Of note, Col. White has one aunt, Ethel B., who was the first in the Rush family from Philadelphia, to enlist in the Air Force at a time when it was not popular for black women to serve in the military. Similarly, La’Shonia is the first in their family from Philadelphia, to not only be commissioned in the Army but to reach the rank of colonel. 

Col. White and her husband Demetrius live in Virginia. The couple’s son Desmond and their granddaughter Desiree Rush reside in Texas.