Col. David W. Porter was born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 30, 1976. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and a commission as an Infantry Officer in 2000 from the University of Illinois. He has a Master of Organizational Leadership from Lewis University and a Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College.
David Porter has been married to his wife for 20 beautiful years. He has three fantastic children. He currently serves as the children's pastor for Grace Church in Mahomet, IL.
During his 25 years of military service, Col. Porter served in the Illinois Army National Guard for 17 years. He served in positions of growing responsibility from platoon leader to the Executive Officer of the 2nd Squadron 106th Cavalry. Col. Porter deployed for Task Force Santa Fe,
Operation Cajun Fury, and as an advisor to the Polish Army with the BEST mission. In his final two years in the Illinois National Guard, he graduated from CGSOC Phase I with the 11-108th BN, Phase II with the 10-80th BN, and Phase III with the 11-95th BN.
In 2014 Col. Porter transferred to the United States Army Reserve 10th Battalion 80th Regiment to be faculty for the Command and General Staff Officer Course and was recognized as the 80th Training Command Instructor of the Year 2015. He served as the Area Coordinator of the Illinois-Indiana team and the deputy commander of the 97th BDE (CGSOC) in 2018. From 2019-2021 David commanded the 11-95th BN through the transition in instructor requirements and the addition of remote instruction from COVID-19. He has served in the 2nd BDE 86th DIV for the last two years as a Brigade Team chief. His team trained brigade staff in mission command and command post operations.
Col. Porter's awards and decorations included the Afghan Campaign Medal with campaign star; Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal (3); Army Commendation Medal (4); Army Achievement Medal (2); Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (8), National Defense Medal (1); Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hour Glass and M Device; NATO Medal; Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (2); Army Meritorious Unit Commendation Award, and the Army Superior Unit Award.
He has graduated from the Command and General Staff College, Joint Combined Warfighter School, and the Army War College.