Colonel Steven D. Gavin was born on November 16, 1969 at Fort Gordon, Georgia. He received his commission as an Infantry Officer in 1991 following the receipt of his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science/Military Science from Augusta University. Colonel Gavin has earned Master’s degrees from Georgia Southern University (Public Administration), Savannah State College (Public Affairs), and the Army War College (Strategic Studies). In recognition of his academic performance COL Gavin was selected to the Pi Alpha Alpha National Honor Society and the Presidential Management Internship (Department of Labor). COL Gavin was also a candidate for the Rhodes Scholar Program in 1995.
During his 20 years of military service, COL Gavin has served in a variety of positions within every level of the United States Army. He served as a platoon leader in the 197th Infantry Brigade (M) and a team leader with the School of Americas at Fort Benning, Georgia. COL Gavin was a staff officer to the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization, and Security (DPTMS) at Fort Gordon, GA; a Motor Platoon leader for the 450th Ordnance Company; an Assistant S-3 Plans Officer for the HHD, 84th Infantry Training Division; a Company Commander for a Military Intelligence Company (378th MI Battalion (MIRC); a General Staff Officer for the Eight United States Army Provost Marshall Office – Korea; a Long-Range Plans Officer for the 8th Military Police Brigade and Eighth United States Army/United States Forces-Korea; an Executive Officer and then Battalion Commander for the 783rd Military Police Battalion, a Chief Director of Logistics for the Joint Forces Command-Joint Enabling Capabilities Command (JFCOM-JECC); Quality Director for the Defense Contracting Management Command (DCMA); a Military Police Chief Observer-Controller-Trainer (OCT) for 205th IN BDE, 1st Army – East and a Battalion Commander for the 387th Military Police Battalion (CS), in Scottsdale, Arizona. COL Gavin served deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq.
For his 2005 deployment in Iraq COL Gavin served as the Senior Operations Officer for Task Force-134 at Camp Cropper. In 2008 COL Gavin supported USFOR-A/USSOCOM Joint Task Force overseeing the prisoner transfers, collection, detention and release of key High Value Targets. In 2012, COL Gavin served as a Counter-Insurgency (COIN) instructor for the Afghan National Army (ANA) and a Military Advisor to the Afghan National Police (ANP) and ANA Commando Group. He was later selected as the Deputy Commander for NTM-A/CSTC-A Afghan National Defense University and a Senior Advisor to the NTM-A/CSTC-A Deputy Commander-Army. In 2018, COL Gavin served as the Officer in Charge and Army Acquisition Executive Officer for the Defense Contract Management Agency/Army Reserve Element. COL Gavin has also participated in operations/exercises in Korea and South American countries during his career.
COL Gavin’s awards and decorations include the Afghan Campaign Medal w/campaign stars; Iraq Campaign Medal w/2-campaign stars; Bronze Star (4); Army Commendation Medal (2); Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (2), National Defense Medal (2); Global War on Terrorism Medal; Army Service Medal; Army Reserve Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; NATO Medal; Expert Infantry Badge; Basic Parachutist Badge; Combat Action Badge; Korean Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army’s Overseas Service Medal (2); Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon; Army Meritorious Unit Commendation Award, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and the Certificate of Achievement by the Chief of the General Staff – Afghanistan (Joint Command). He has attended the United States Jungle School and Northern Warfare School as well as numerous professional military education courses and certifications in Acquisition and quality management.
Currently, COL Gavin is an Assistant Program Manager for Joint Light Tactical Vehicle in the area of Foreign Military Sales (FMS). COL Gavin is the proud father to one daughter.