Col. Samuel Kline
COL Samuel Kline is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and earned his commission as an Infantry Officer from Penn State University in 1997. He is a graduate of the Infantry Officer and Signal Officer Basic courses, the Military Intelligence Advanced Course, the Special Forces Qualification Course, the Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College.
Before arrival at the Presidio of Monterey in June 2022, COL Kline commanded the Special Operations Advisory Group in Baghdad, Iraq. His previous assignments included Rifle Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Battalion Adjutant, and Battalion Communications Officer in the 25th Infantry Division. He was an Action Officer and Branch Chief in G3 Special Operations Division, Pentagon, a Battalion Operations and Executive Officer in the 1st Special Warfare Training Group. He served as the Current Operations Branch Chief and Military Assistant to the Commander at the NATO Special Operations Headquarters.
COL Kline’s command assignments included Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha Commander in both the 20th and 1st Special Forces Groups. He served as both the Underwater Operations School and Military Free Fall School Commanders. COL Kline also commanded the 1st Battalion, 48th Infantry Regiment, in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
COL Kline holds master’s degrees in Strategic Studies from the Army War College, Global and Interagency Studies from the University of Kansas, and Business and Organizational Security Management from Webster University. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and various others. His skill badges include the Air Assault Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Military Free Fall Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge, Special Forces Tab, and the Special Forces Combat Dive Supervisor Badge.
COL Kline is married to Lieutenant Commander Heather Kline, USN (retired), of Fayetteville, Pennsylvania.