Col. David Holstead

Colonel David Holstead commissioned as an Armor officer in 2000 out of Texas A&M University. His operational assignments include 1st Squadron, 11th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Irwin, CA; 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment at Fort Campbell, KY; and 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, TX. From 2019-2021 he commanded 3rd Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment where he served as Commandant, US Army Federal Officer Candidate School (OCS). Other assignments include Tactical Officer and Regimental Executive Officer at the United States Military Academy; Senior Army Liaison to the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office in Alexandria, VA; and Armor Enlisted Branch Chief, Human Resources Command at Fort Knox, KY.  

Deployments and overseas assignments include Troop Command in Baghdad, Iraq with 1-61 Cavalry, 506th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (AASLT); Military Training Team Lead and Brigade Plans Officer with 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division in Babil Province, Iraq; Lead Plans Officer for the CENTCOM Combined Joint Operations Center in Baghdad, Iraq; and most recently as the Chief of Current Operations (G33) for V Corps Forward in Poznan, Poland. 

Colonel Holstead’s military training and education includes the Armor Officer Basic Course, Scout Leaders Course, Air Assault School, Armor Captains Career Course, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, School of Advanced Military Studies, and the Naval War College. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Texas A&M University, a Master of Arts from Columbia University, a Masters of Military Art and Science from the School of Advanced Military Studies, and Masters of Strategic Studies from the US Naval War College. 

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (2 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC) Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Combat Action Badge, and Air Assault Badge.