San Diego State University
Assistant Professor of Military Science
Captain Chris McCloud
United States Army

CPT Chris McCloud was commissioned in May, 2004 as Infantry Officer and Distinguished Military Graduate from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona with a degree in Criminal Justice. He immediately left Arizona for Fort Benning, Georgia where he began nine months of officer training. While in Fort Benning he completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course, and Basic Airborne and Ranger Schools.

CPT McCloud’s first assignment was at Fort Lewis, WA where he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (SBCT). He joined his unit in May 2005 in Mosul, Iraq where he served as an assistant supply officer before receiving his first platoon in June. He spent his remaining tour as a platoon leader before his brigade’s departure from Iraq in late September, 2005. He remained a rifle platoon leader until March 2006.

From March 2006 to April 2007 CPT McCloud assumed command of the battalion’s reconnaissance platoon. In May, 2007 his brigade moved from Fort Lewis, WA to Vilseck, Germany and reflagged to the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment (2SCR). He was tasked with training a platoon of 85% new Soldiers while resettling his unit in Germany.

From April 2007 to February 2009 CPT McCloud served as the Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General of the Joint Multinational Training Command (JMTC) in Grafenwoehr, Germany. During this time his job took him to over 12 countries throughout Europe and Southwest Asia to include Georgia, Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Kosovo and Poland. CPT McCloud left active duty in February 2009 and joined the Aztec Battalion in July.

His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal (1OLC), Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Basic Airborne Badge, Ranger Tab, Expert Infantry Badge, and the Combat Infantry Badge.