LTC Cole Pinheiro
Battalion Commander
Lieutenant Colonel Cole Pinheiro was born in 1982 and was raised in Tehachapi, California. He commissioned as an Armor officer from the United States Military Academy in 2004.
Lieutenant Colonel Pinheiro completed the Armor Officer Basic Course at Fort Knox, KY, and served in 3d Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment as a Tank Platoon Leader, Troop Executive Officer, and Squadron Planner. Following the Maneuver Captains Career Course, LTC Pinheiro served in 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 4th Infantry Division as a Planner and Tank Company Commander. Afterwards, he served as an Assistant Professor of International Relations in the Department of Social Sciences at West Point. LTC Pinheiro was the Battalion Operations Officer and Battalion Executive Officer in 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment. He then served as the Brigade Executive Officer for 2d Brigade, 1st Armored Division. LTC Pinheiro last served as the Movement and Maneuver Chief in the Mission Command Training Program at Fort Leavenworth, KS. He has deployed to multiple countries in CENTCOM and EUCOM in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Spartan Shield, and Operation Atlantic Resolve.
LTC Pinheiro holds a Master of Arts in Security Studies from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the United States Military Academy.
LTC Pinheiro is a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic Course, Maneuver Captain Career Course, Cavalry Leader’s Course, and Command & General Staff Officers College. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (3), Meritorious Service Medal (5), Army Commendation Medal (3), Army Achievement Medal (3), Valorous Unit Award (3), Meritorious Unit Commendation (1), Army Superior Unit Award (1), National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with 3 campaign stars, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 campaign stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian service medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 4), NATO Medal, the Combat Action Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.
CSM Kirk L. Ray
Battalion Command Sergeant Major
Command Sergeant Major Kirk L. Ray is a native of Bridgeville, Delaware entered the United States Army in October 2001. He completed One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Knox, Kentucky where he was awarded the MOS 19D, Cavalry Scout.
CSM Ray’s duty positions include: Team Leader, Assistant Operations NCO, Squad Leader, Drill Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, Ranger Instructor, First Sergeant, and Operations Sergeant Major. His stateside assignments include Fort Drum, NY; Fort Benning, GA; Fort Campbell, KY; Eglin AF Base, FL; Fort Bliss, TX; and Fort Stewart, GA. His overseas assignments include four years in Germany. He has deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.
CSM Ray is a graduate of Basic Leader Course (BLC), Advanced Leaders Course (ALC), Senior Leader Course (SLC), and Sergeants Major Course (SMC), US Army Ranger School, Drill Sergeant School, Pathfinder Course, Airborne School, Air Assault Course, Combatives Level 1 and 2, Total Army Instructor Trainer, Battle Staff Course. CSM Ray holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Leadership and Workforce Development.
CSM Ray’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (3 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC), Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation (1 OLC), Good Conduct Medal (6 awards), National Defense Service Medal (w/star), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (w/3 campaign stars), Iraq Campaign Medal (w/ 5 campaign stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, NCOPD Ribbon (numeral 5), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (numeral 4), NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, Ranger Tab, Pathfinder Badge, Parachutists Badge, and the Air Assault Badge. He is also a member of the Order of St. George.