LTC Troy P. Thomas enlisted in the Infantry in 1991, attended basic training, airborne school, and the Ranger Indoctrination Program at Fort Benning, GA and was assigned to the 2nd Ranger Battalion. As an enlisted Soldier and a Non-Commissioned Officer, he served in both the 2nd Ranger Battalion and 75th Ranger Regimental Headquarter. As a Sergeant First Class, LTC Thomas’ final enlisted job was starting the Army Combatives School at Fort Benning, GA. LTC Thomas was commissioned in the Infantry in 2001 following graduation from Officer Candidate School. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Resource Management from Troy University and a Master Degree in Military Arts and Science from the Air Command and Staff College. LTC Thomas served as a mortar platoon leader, rifle platoon leader, company executive officer, and reconnaissance platoon leader in 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, GA. While assigned to the 1st Ranger Battalion, he deployed six times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. As a captain, he served as a Squadron deputy operations officer and Assassin Troop Commander for 3-1 Cav, 3rd HBCT, 3rd IN DIV, Fort Benning, GA, where he deployed to Iraq in support of “the Surge” – Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007. He also served as the Brigade Deputy Operations Officer for the Ranger Training Brigade, and served at the Aide-de-Camp for the Commanding General, Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning, GA. Immediately following ILE, he was assigned as the Chief of Current Operations for the 101st Airborne Division, and deployed to RC- East, Afghanistan in 2013. He was later assigned as the Squadron Operations and Executive Officer for 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, 1-101 IBCT. He also served as the APMS at Colorado State University prior to becoming the Professor of Military Science for the program. His awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist’s Badge, and Air Assault Badge. .