Colonel Colin P. Mahle

Chief of Staff, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss

Col. Colin P. Mahle graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 2000 with a degree in History and was commissioned as an Engineer officer.   

Following attendance at the Engineer Officer Basic Course and Ranger School, his first assignment was as a platoon leader in B Co, 2nd EN BN at Camp Castle, Korea. In March 2002, he was reassigned as a platoon leader in the 50th Multi-Role Bridge Company at Camp Laguardia, Korea. In December 2002, Col. Mahle became the company executive officer in B Co, 27th EN BN (CBT)(ABN) at Fort Bragg (known as Fort Liberty since April 2023), North Carolina. In November 2003, following his branch transfer to Infantry, he was assigned to D Co, 3-504 IN as the company executive officer and deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following the return from OIF, he became the S3 Air Officer for 3-504 IN. After attending the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, he was assigned as the Assistant S3 to 1-66 AR (CAB) 1BCT, 4ID at Fort Hood (known as Fort Cavazos since April 2023), Texas, and deployed to Taji, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In June 2006, Col. Mahle took command of A Co, 1-66 AR (CAB) in Tarmiyah, Iraq. Upon completion of 19 months of command, he was selected as the Aide-de-Camp for the 4ID CG and deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in January 2008. Upon returning from OIF, Col. Mahle was selected to join the 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Moore, Georgia, where he served as the Regimental S4 Logistics Plans officer and Regimental S3 Air. In July 2011, Col. Mahle took command of the HHC, 75th Ranger Regiment, and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2012, Col. Mahle attended the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Following graduation from CGSC, he was assigned as the S-3 for 1-26 IN as part of 3BCT, 1ID at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2013. Col. Mahle was next assigned to 1BCT, 10th MTN DIV. While in 1/10 MTN he served as the battalion executive officer for 2-22 IN and deployed to Iraq as the BDE operations officer in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Following redeployment, Col. Mahle was assigned to Army North in the Defense Coordinating Element, Region VIII in Denver, Colorado.

In April 2018, he took command of 4th Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment in 3rd ABCT, 1st Armored Division and deployed to the Republic of Korea as part of the Regional Aligned Force. Following 25 months of command of 4-6 IN, Col. Mahle assumed the duties as the Executive Officer to the Commanding General of the Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth. He is a Senior Service College graduate where he attended the Advanced Strategic Leaders Studies Program at the School for Advanced Military Studies. Following SSC, Col. Mahle commanded the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Moore from July 2022 to July 2024.

Col. Mahle’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (4 Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (6 OLC), Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the German Parachutist Badge.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the Virginia Military Institute, a master’s degree in Military Arts and Science, and a master’s degree in Strategic Studies, both from the United States Army Command and General Staff College.