Joel Garrison
Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Joel L. Garrison III is a proven leader, with almost twenty-five years of experience as a member of the Army National Guard including combat service in Operation Iraqi Freedom II while deployed with the 39th Brigade Combat Team. His service in theater included time as an intelligence officer and Commander of Bravo Battery, 1-206th Field Artillery. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Parachutist School and U.S. Army Air Assault School. LTC Garrison’s educational background includes the remarkable story of how a child overcame humble beginnings to become the president of the study body and 1997 Outstanding Graduate for Arkansas State University (political science) with graduate degrees from Arkansas State University (communications and community college teaching), National Intelligence University (strategic intelligence - thesis on violent criminal organizations), U.S. Marine Corps University (military studies - thesis on agribusiness in Afghanistan), The George Washington University (legislative affairs) and all coursework now completed toward EdD candidacy at George Washington University’s Graduate School of Education and Human Development (policy and administration - emerging dissertation on evaluating programs that support the unique needs of military-connected elementary school students).
LTC Garrison is also a graduate of the U.S. Army War College’s Defense Strategy Course and Basic Strategic Arts Program, which qualifies him as an Army strategist. For the last nine plus years, he has served on active military duty highlighted by tours serving on the staffs of a U.S. Senator; Assistant Secretary of the Army, Installations, Energy, and Environment; and the Director of the Army National Guard. LTC Garrison’s civilian career includes almost seven years in administrative leadership posts as a higher education professional. Other experiences include local community service highlighted by three terms as the president of a local Lions Club and being named the club’s Ed Dostrum Award as the 2002 Lion of the Year. LTC Garrison’s military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, five Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medal, four Army Reserve Component Achievement Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Forces Reserve Medal (with M Device for Mobilization), the Army Service Ribbon, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Combat Action Badge; and the Army Staff Badge.
LTC Garrison is also a graduate of the U.S. Army War College’s Defense Strategy Course and Basic Strategic Arts Program, which qualifies him as an Army strategist. For the last nine plus years, he has served on active military duty highlighted by tours serving on the staffs of a U.S. Senator; Assistant Secretary of the Army, Installations, Energy, and Environment; and the Director of the Army National Guard. LTC Garrison’s civilian career includes almost seven years in administrative leadership posts as a higher education professional. Other experiences include local community service highlighted by three terms as the president of a local Lions Club and being named the club’s Ed Dostrum Award as the 2002 Lion of the Year. LTC Garrison’s military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, five Army Commendation Medal, two Army Achievement Medal, four Army Reserve Component Achievement Medals, two National Defense Service Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Forces Reserve Medal (with M Device for Mobilization), the Army Service Ribbon, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Combat Action Badge; and the Army Staff Badge.