LTC Ben Griffin graduated from the United States Military Academy in 2006 and commissioned as a Military Intelligence Officer. His first duty station was Ft Drum, NY where he served as the AS2 and S2 of 1-71 CAV 1st IBCT 10th MTN Division.
LTC Griffin deployed to Iraq with the unit from August 2008 to October 2009 in support of Operation Iraq Freedom. Following his deployment, he attended the MI Captain’s Career Course.
LTC Griffin then went to Fort Hood, now Fort Cavazos, joining the 2nd BCT, 1st Cavalry Division. Serving as the BDE AS2, he returned to Iraq in May of 2010 in support of Operation New Dawn. Upon return from deployment, he took command of HHC, 2nd Special Troops Battalion.
After going to the University of Texas for Advanced Civil Schooling, LTC Griffin served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at USMA for three years.
He went on to attend CGSOC at Fort Leavenworth, KS and after completing the course moved to Fort Riley to join the 1st Infantry Division. He served as the S2 for the 1st Division Artillery, the Division Collection Manager, and the Deputy Chief of Staff. LTC Griffin arrives at DLI having just completed a second tour at USMA, this time as the Chief of the Military History Division in the History Department.
His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and Combat Action Badge. He holds a PhD in History from the University of Texas, an MA in International Security Studies from the University of Arizona, and a BS in History from the United States Military Academy. He is the author of Reagan’s War Stories: A Cold War Presidency, published by the Naval Institute in 2022.