A native of Richmond, Virginia, Brigadier General Bowles was commissioned in the Army Infantry from the Virginia Military Institute in 1987.
After completion of the Infantry Officer Basic course in 1988, he was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Howze Korea where he served as an assistant Brigade S-3 and Rifle Platoon Leader. He was subsequently assigned to Fort Benning Georgia where he served in various positions with the Infantry Center. In 1994 he transferred to the Virginia Army National Guard where he served in the 29th Infantry Division as a staff officer and Rifle Company Commander. In 1998 he transferred to the Army Reserve.
In the Army Reserve, Bowles initially served as a Team Leader at Army Material Command’s LOGCAP unit. He subsequently worked as a planner, Headquarters Commandant, and J-4 Director of Logistics for a SOCOM Theater Special Operations Command in Norfolk Virginia and various other locations.
Following 2001, Bowles supported operations in Central Asia as a member of a Special Operations Task Force while assigned as an LNO to and mobilized member of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) across various global locations. He deployed to Tallil Iraq from 2006 to 2007 as the Commander of the 942nd Quartermaster Detachment (377th TSC) during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. From 2008 to 2010, he served as the G-8 Comptroller for the 94th Division (FS) at Fort Lee. He was then assigned to be the first Deputy Commander of the 518th Sustainment Brigade from 2010 to 2013. In 2013 he assumed command of the Army Reserve Counter Terrorism Unit under the US Department of State. Colonel Bowles currently serves as the Commander of 3d Brigade 98th Training Division which he assumed in 2015. His military education includes the Infantry Officer’s Basic and Advanced Courses, the Quartermaster Officer’s Advanced Course, the Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Ranger Tab, Combat Action Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, British Army Parachutist Wings, and the Department of State Meritorious Honor Award. He holds a BA from the Virginia Military Institute, an MBA from Averett University, and an MSS from the Army War College. Colonel Bowles is a Joint Qualified Officer.