Director's Corner

COLONEL CHRISTOPHER J. KELLER,
DIRECTOR,
CENTER FOR ARMY LESSONS LEARNED

Colonel Christopher J. Keller graduated in 1993 from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History.

Colonel Keller began his career as Rifle Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Battalion Adjutant, and Bravo Company Commander in 5th Battalion, 87th Infantry at Fort Davis and Fort Kobbe, Panama.

As a company grade officer, COL Keller attended the Infantry Officer Advanced Course and then served in the Ranger Training Brigade, as the 6th Ranger Training Battalion Adjutant and Logistics Officer. He was then assigned to the 3d Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (M), at Fort Carson, Colorado, where he served in 1st Battalion 12th Infantry as the Battalion S4, Company A Commander, and later Headquarters and Headquarters Company Commander.

COL Keller was then reassigned to PERSCOM, in Alexandria VA, where he served as a DA Secretariat Board Recorder and later as the aide-de-camp to the Commanding General, Human Resources Command.

Following Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS, COL Keller served as Operations Officer and Executive Officer of the 1st Squadron, 2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment (SBCT) at Rose Barracks, Germany. While serving as the Squadron Executive Officer, COL Keller deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom conducting combat operations in Sadr City, Adhamiyah, and Mosul, Iraq.

Upon return from Germany, he served as a Majors Assignment Officer at Infantry Branch, Human Resources Command, Alexandria, VA; and later as the Infantry Colonels Assignment Officer, Colonels Management Office (CMO/SLD), Office of the Chief of Staff of the Army.

COL Keller commanded 3d Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment (SBCT) at Rose Barracks, Germany, from JUL 2011 - JAN 2013 participating in Operations Sabre Strike 13 and Saber Junction. Following battalion command he served as Infantry Branch Chief, Army Human Resource Command, Fort Knox, KY (2013-2015). He then served as Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) Senior Liaison Officer to USAFRICOM. His most recent posting was to Fort Leavenworth, KS, where he has served as the Chief, Operations Group D with Mission Command Training Program (MCTP), conducting Division, Corps, JTF, and ASCC-level Warfighter exercises. He later served as Chief, Operations Group X (MCTP), responsible for design, planning and control of multi-echelon, distributed, joint-enabled Army Warfighter exercises.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (7 awards), Army Commendation Medal (3 awards), Army Achievement Medal (3 awards), Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Pathfinder Badge, and Ranger Tab.

COL Keller is married and has three children.