R. Alan King
Encyclopedia
R. Alan King is an American soldier, award winning author and technical advisor. He is a retired colonel, US Army Reserve. He was awarded two Bronze Star Medals with Valor device
during "Operation Iraqi Freedom."
, and in 1981 he graduated from Woodbridge High School (Virginia) in Woodbridge, VA.
with a BS in Criminal Justice in 1987, from Webster University
with a Masters of Art in International Relations and Management in 1997. King graduated from the U.S. Air Force Air War College
in 2002. He is pursuing a doctorate from the University of Southern Mississippi in International Development.
He authored the book, Twice Armed: An American Soldier's Battle for Hearts and Minds in Iraq, Zenith Press 2006, that won the 2008 William E. Colby Award
for significant contributions to international relations and intelligence operations.
King was recognized by Oklahoma State University for outstanding contributions to the political issues in Iraq and designated an honorary Henery G. Bennett Distinguished Fellow in 2007.
On September 11, 2006, King testified before the House of Representatives, Subcommittee for National Security on the security situation in Iraq.
(Abn) from 1992-1997. King then attended the Psychological Operations Officers Course and commanded the 310th PSYOP Company in Georgia. He assumed command of the 422d Civil Affairs Battlaion in July 2001. King served as the senior civil-military advisor to the 3rd Infantry Division during "Operation Iraqi Freedom" and received two Bronze Star Medals for Valor and two Bronze Star Medals for achievement (2003–2004). He and the 422d Civil Affairs Battalion were credited with capturing three individuals from the infamous "Deck of Cards," and almost a dozen of the top 200 most wanted, including "Baghdad Bob" and the Chairman of Atomic Energy. While under his comamnd, the 422d Civil Affairs Battalion was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Valor device
The Valor device is an award of the United States military which is a bronze attachment to certain medals to indicate that it was received for valor...
during "Operation Iraqi Freedom."
Early life
Born on May 8, 1963, in Arlington, Virginia. King grew-up in Northern, VA. As a child, he moved with his family to Woodbridge, VirginiaWoodbridge, Virginia
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 31,941 people, 10,687 households, and 7,769 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 3,047.8 people per square mile . There were 11,026 housing units at an average density of 1,052.1/sq mi...
, and in 1981 he graduated from Woodbridge High School (Virginia) in Woodbridge, VA.
Academics, Honors and Awards
King graduated from East Tennessee State UniversityEast Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University is an accredited American university located in Johnson City, Tennessee. It is part of the Tennessee Board of Regents system of colleges and universities, the nation's sixth largest system of public education, and is the fourth largest university in the state...
with a BS in Criminal Justice in 1987, from Webster University
Webster University
Webster University is an American non-profit private university with its main campus in Webster Groves, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. Webster University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools...
with a Masters of Art in International Relations and Management in 1997. King graduated from the U.S. Air Force Air War College
Air War College
The Air War College is a part of the United States Air Force's Air University, headquartered at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. Air University's higher headquarters is Air Education and Training Command headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The Air War...
in 2002. He is pursuing a doctorate from the University of Southern Mississippi in International Development.
He authored the book, Twice Armed: An American Soldier's Battle for Hearts and Minds in Iraq, Zenith Press 2006, that won the 2008 William E. Colby Award
Colby Award
The William E. Colby Award was established in 1999 by the William E. Colby Military Writers' Symposium at Norwich University in Vermont in order to recognize "a first work of fiction or non-fiction that has made a major contribution to the understanding of intelligence operations, military history,...
for significant contributions to international relations and intelligence operations.
King was recognized by Oklahoma State University for outstanding contributions to the political issues in Iraq and designated an honorary Henery G. Bennett Distinguished Fellow in 2007.
On September 11, 2006, King testified before the House of Representatives, Subcommittee for National Security on the security situation in Iraq.
Military career
King enlisted in the Maryland Army National Guard as an infantryman in 1983. He was commissioned Infantry in the Army Reserve in 1985 and then into the Regular Army in the Adjutant General Corps in 1987. He served with the XVIII Airborne Corps and later in the 7th Special Forces Group (Abn) deploying in support of "Operation Just Cause". King transferred into the Army Reserve in 1991 and branch transferred into Civil Affairs. He served as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Personnel, United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations CommandUnited States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command
The United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command , or USACAPOC, was founded in 1985. USACAPOC is composed mostly of U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers in units throughout the United States...
(Abn) from 1992-1997. King then attended the Psychological Operations Officers Course and commanded the 310th PSYOP Company in Georgia. He assumed command of the 422d Civil Affairs Battlaion in July 2001. King served as the senior civil-military advisor to the 3rd Infantry Division during "Operation Iraqi Freedom" and received two Bronze Star Medals for Valor and two Bronze Star Medals for achievement (2003–2004). He and the 422d Civil Affairs Battalion were credited with capturing three individuals from the infamous "Deck of Cards," and almost a dozen of the top 200 most wanted, including "Baghdad Bob" and the Chairman of Atomic Energy. While under his comamnd, the 422d Civil Affairs Battalion was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for Operation Iraqi Freedom.