COL VAUGHN D. STRONG JR
Colonel Vaughn D. Strong Jr. received his commission as an Infantry Officer from the United States Military Academy in 2000. He is a graduate of the Master Fitness Course, Air Assault School, Infantry Officer Basic Course, Airborne School, Ranger School, Bradley Fighting Vehicle Commander Course, Maneuver Captains Career Course, Command and General Staff College, the School of Advanced Military Studies, Anti-terrorism officer course, the Joint/Combines Warfighter School, and the United States Army War College.
Prior to his arrival at Vicenza, Italy, he was assigned to U.S. Army Europe and Africa, where he served at the Secretary of the General Staff in Wiesbaden, Germany. Previous non-command assignments include service as an Infantry Platoon Leader, Anti-Tank Platoon Leader, Company XO, and S3 Air Officer in the 9th ID, and 101st ABN DIV (AASLT); Assistant Professor of Military Science for the Univ of Michigan ROTC; Operational planner and joint planner for U.S. Forces – Iraq and the Office of Security Cooperation – Iraq; 82nd ABN DIV Brigade and Division planner; 1-508 PIR, 82ND ABN DIV Battalion S3 and XO; USCENTCOM strategic planner, DJ3 Executive Officer, and CG’s Combined Action Group portfolio holder and deputy.
His command assignments include: 18 months as Commander, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st ABN DIV (AASLT), Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; 28 months as Commander, 1st Battalion, 306th Infantry Regiment, First Army, Fort Stewart, Georgia.
Colonel Strong holds a Master of Strategic Studies from the US Army War College; a Master of Military Arts and Sciences degree from the School of Advanced Military Studies, and a Master in Business Administration from the University of Michigan. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with 2 OLC, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with OLC, the Meritorious Service Medal with 3 OLC, the Army Commendation Medal with 3 OLC, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with 2 OLC, the OIF and OEF Campaign Medals, the GWOT expeditionary and service medals, the Korean Defense Service medal, the Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Master Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Ranger Tab.