My First Assignment

My first task for this Blog would be to say a little about myself. And really, what I am trying to achieve. So, for my first post, here is a little information about myself. Please excuse any gross typing errors. I am horribile at typing.

MAJOR JOSEPH R. CALDWELL
PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY

I have been in the United States Army my entire adult life. I enlisted in the Army (Active Duty) after graduating from high school in the summer of 1988. I enlisted to become a 76C10, Equipment Records and Parts Specialist. I attended basic training at Fort Leonardwood, MO, and Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Lee, VA. After completing my initial training, I was assigned to the 710th Main Support Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, at Fort Drum, New York. During my enlisted time, I completed Airborne Training at Fort Benning, GA, Air Assault Training at Fort Drum, Jungle Operations Training at Fort Sherman, Panama, and I was selected as the DISCOM soldier of the quarter, 2nd Quarter, FY, 1990. After 3 years of active duty, I was honorably discharged from the Army, and I returned home to Texas.

After arriving back home in Texas, I enrolled into the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) in the fall of 1991. There, I also en-rolled into the University’s Army ROTC Program, and re-enlisted into the Texas Army National Guard under the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). I changed my military occupation skill (MOS) to 11B10 and was assigned to Alpha Company, 3/144th Infantry Battalion (MECH). My senior year at UTA I was selected as the George C. Marshall Award recipient. Additionally, I am a distinguished military graduate from UTA’s ROTC program. I graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington in the spring of 1996 with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Public Relations. I was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps, branch detailed to the Infantry.

After graduation from college, I attended Infantry Officer’s Basic Course (IOBC), and Ranger School at Fort Benning, GA. I was then assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, at Fort Bragg, NC in June of 1997. There I served as a rifle platoon leader and anti-armor platoon leader. After competition of my platoon leader time, I attended the Ordnance Officer Branch Qualification Course at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD, and returned to Fort Bragg in November 1998. I was then assigned to the 407th Forward Support Battalion where I served as the Direct Support Maintenance Shop Officer and Battalion Operations Officer (S-3). While assigned with the 82nd Airborne Division, I graduated from the Advanced Airborne School (Jumpmaster).

I left Fort Bragg in June of 2001 to attend the Combined Logistics Captains Career Course (CLC3) at Fort Lee, VA, and the Combined Arms Services and Staff School (CAS3) at Fort Leavenworth, KS. My next assignment was with the 302nd Forward Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, at Camp Casey, Republic of Korea. There I served as the Support Operations Maintenance Officer (MATO) for 14 months.

Upon my return to the United States, I was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division in June of 2003. I was immediately selected to take company command. In August 2003, I assumed command of HSC, 615th Aviation Support Battalion. I deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom II with the First Cavalry Division in March of 2004. I returned home from Iraq in March 2005, and relinquished command in June 2005. I was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service while assigned as a company commander during OIF II.

My next assignment was as the S-4 Logistics Officer (S-4) for the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. I deployed with the Air Cavalry Brigade as part of Joint Task Force (JTF) Katrina to New Orleans, LA in September 2005. Our mission was to assist in providing relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina. One week after my return from New Orleans, I deployed again with the 1st Cavalry Division’s Aviation Task Force, as part of JTF Rita. The task Force deployed to Conroe, Texas to assist in relief efforts after Hurricane Rita. I was promoted to the rank of Major in April 2006.

I was then assigned to HHC, 1st Cavalry Division where I was assigned as the Division Maintenance Officer. I worked as a member of the Division’s staff in the G-4 section. I deployed to Iraq for my second time in October 2006. I returned home in December 2007 from almost a 15th month deployment in Iraq. I remained in the same duty position until May 2008. I then PCS’d (permanent change of duty station) to Fort Leavenworth, KS in June 2008.

While here, I will be a student at the U.S. Army Command General and Staff College. I will be attending the Intermediate Level Education (ILE) course for the next 10 months. Additionally, I will be working on my Master’s Degree. After one year of school at Fort Leavenworth, I will PCS again. I am not sure where, but I am asking for an assignment in Italy with the 173rd Airborne Brigade.

The reason I have started this Blog, is really a CGSC requirement. Our Combinded Arms Commander, (CAC) LTG William Caldwell (no relation) has directed that CGSC students engage in media activities. This is, write an article for a newspaper or magizine, conduct an interview, public speaking, and post a Blog. That is the purpose of this. I will have a subject to write about very soon. This effort is just to get the ball rolling....

If you have read this far, thanks...

MAJ JOE CALDWELL