Founder's Day Speaker Selected for March 5, 2011

LTC Jim Bradford has been selected by West Point to be the Founder's Day speaker in Denver this year.  Here's his bio:

LTC Jim Bradford  received his commission as an Infantry Officer in 1989 from New Mexico Military Institute.  Upon completion of the Infantry Officer’s Basic Course, Jim’s first duty assignment was at Schofield Barracks, HI where he served as a rifle and specialty platoon leader, company executive officer, and battalion staff officer for 4th Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division.

Following the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, LTC Bradford was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry, 1st Armored Division in Baumholder, Germany where he served as Battalion S3 Air, Rifle Company Commander, and Headquarters Company Commander which included deployments to Bosnia and the Former Yugoslav Country of Macedonia.

Jim and Daniele moved to Washington DC in 1998 where LTC Bradford was assigned as a military assistant and operations officer for the White House Military Office serving both President Clinton and President Bush.

Following  CGSC, LTC Bradford was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division, FT Drum, NY where he served as the Division G3 Training Officer and as Chief of Operations for CTF-Mountain in Afghanistan.  Jim was later assigned to 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team as the Battalion S3 and as Brigade S3 and Brigade Executive Officer, 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division.  During his assignment with the 10th Mountain Division, Jim deployed to Afghanistan twice  and Iraq once.

In 2006, LTC Bradford was assigned  to US Pacific Command, Camp Smith, HI where he served as a Ground Operations Planner for Standing Joint Force Headquarters.

LTC Bradford assumed command of 1-63 Combined Arms Battalion as part of 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division in May, 2008 which  deployed to Iraq from October 2008 to September 2009.  LTC Bradford will depart command in May 2010 for West Point where he will serve as a Regimental Tactical Officer with the Corps of Cadets at West Point, NY.

LTC Bradford holds an undergraduate degree from New Mexico Military Institute and the University of Texas and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Government from Troy State University.  His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms Services Staff College, the Command and General Staff College, and the Joint Forces Staff College.

LTC Bradford’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star (4 oak leaf clusters), Joint and U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal, Joint and U.S. Army Commendation Medal (6 OLC), the Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medal, UN and NATO Medal, Joint and Army Achievement Medal (4 OLC).  Jim wears the Ranger Tab, Airborne Badge, Air Assault Badge, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, and Presidential Service Badge.