Rock Schmidt - Chapter Chairman
BIOGRAPHICAL INFO:
I am a retired COLONEL who served in the US Army for almost 30 years, followed by another 12 with the Department of Defense.
HIGHLIGHTED ASSIGNMENTS INCLUDE:
· 82d Airborne Division- 82nd Signal Battalion Commander
· Joint Special Operations Command
· United States Army Europe
· Pentagon
CIVILIAN EDUCATION:
1988 Master of Arts Degree in Management; Webster University, Missouri
1975 Bachelor of Science Degree in Professional Photography; Rochester Institute of Technology, New York
1971 Peters Township High School; McMurray, Pennsylvania
MILITARY EDUCATION:
2004 NATO Senior Officers Policy Course.
1995 Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.
1992 Mobile Subscriber Equipment System Planner Course, Fort Gordon, Georgia.
1988 Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
1980 Signal Officer's Advanced Course, Fort Gordon, Georgia.
1976 Communications Electronics Staff Officer Course, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
1975 Signal Officer's Basic Course, Fort Gordon, Georgia.
1975 Distinguished Military Graduate, Reserve Officer's Training Program (ROTC) New York.
MILITARY TRAINING:
1982 Jungle Warfare School, Fort Sherman, Panama.
1981 Jumpmaster Course, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
1976 Ranger School, Fort Benning, Georgia.
1975 Basic Airborne School, Fort Benning, Georgia.
AWARDS:
Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Service Ribbon, Southwest Asia Service Medal (3 campaigns), National Defense Ribbon with oak leaf cluster, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Ribbon with two oak leaf clusters, Iraq Campaign Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medals (Kuwait and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), Korea Defense Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Master Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, and the Army Staff Identification Badge. I am entitled to wear the Israeli, Australian, French, and German paratrooper jump wings.
COMBAT EXPERIENCE:
Four combat deployments include: Company Commander in the 82d Airborne Division during OPERATION URGENT FURY (Grenada); Unit Commander in the Joint Communications Unit, Joint Special Operations Command during OPERATION JUST CAUSE (Panama); Unit Commander in the Joint Communications Unit, Joint Special Operations Command during OPERATION DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM (Kuwait); and as the Senior V (US) Corps Liaison Officer to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (IMEF) during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (Feb 2003-July 2003).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Over 13 years on Airborne/jump status in Airborne/Special Operations Units at Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Commanded at the Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel levels
Warfighter Attitude; Warrior Ethos
Rock Schmidt
Vice Chairman, Charter Member
GEN Dennis L. Via All Airborne Signal Chapter
82nd Airborne Division Association