COL Thomas C. Graves

13th Director, SAMS

Colonel Thomas C. Graves was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 1986 upon graduation from the United States Military Academy. Following graduation, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment in Fort Kobbe, Panama where he served as a platoon leader, anti-tank platoon leader, company executive officer, Battalion motor officer, and participated in OPERATION JUST CAUSE.

Upon returning to the United States, COL Graves was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado where he served as the Assistant S-2 for 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment and Commander, A Company, 2-12 Infantry. Upon completion of command, he was assigned as the company trainer for the 3rd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment (Louisiana National Guard) in Lake Charles, Louisiana. COL Graves was then reassigned to 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood where he commanded Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Infantry Division and also served as the Deputy Brigade Operations Officer, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division and the Battalion S-3 for 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment.

Upon completion of the Command and General Staff College and School of Advanced Military Studies, COL Graves returned to Fort Hood to serve as III Corps G3 Plans Officer and the Brigade Executive Officer for 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, deploying with the Brigade to Kuwait for six months immediately following the attacks on September 11, 2001. Upon his return to Fort Hood, he was assigned to Joint Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia, where he served as the Deputy Chief of the J7 Doctrine Division and the Executive Officer for the Joint Lessons Learned Team, deploying to Camp As Saliyah, Qatar and Baghdad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

COL Graves then served as the Deputy Brigade Commander for 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division deploying with the Brigade from Camp Hovey, Korea to Ar Ramadi, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. COL Graves assumed command of the 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment in Friedberg, Germany on May 17, 2005. His Battalion deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for 14 months beginning in January 2006. Following command, he attended the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. COL Graves returned to Korea from Heidelberg, Germany where he served as the V Corps G3 / USAEUR Chief of Plans for four months. He then served as Commander, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Casey, Korea.   His most recent assignment was as the Chief of Staff, 2nd Infantry Division before becoming the 13th Director of the School of Advanced Military Studies.  COL Graves has completed Airborne School, Ranger School, Air Assault School, Jumpmaster School, Command and General Staff College, the School of Advanced Military Studies, the Joint Forces Staff College, and the United States Army War College.