Colonel Robert J. Coughlin was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He earned a BS in Chemical Engineering from Northeastern University and a MS in Chemical Engineering from Tulane University.

Some of his key assignments were as Commander, HHC Pine Bluff Arsenal, Commander, 82d Chemical Battalion, Director of Training and Doctrine, USACMLS and Commander, Deseret Chemical Depot.

Colonel Coughlin retired in 1997 after 28 years of active duty (Sept 1969 to Sept 1997) and joined Battelle Memorial Institute and worked in Columbus Ohio. He retired as the VP and GM for Battelle National Security Product Line Operations with approximately 3,500 technical and support staff under his supervision. Through this position he was able to work for and support the Chemical School at Ft Leonard Wood in various projects and tasks.