Colonel Odis Blueitt was born on Dec. 7, 1959 in Jasper, Texas. After compiling a stellar high school record, and graduating from Kirbyville (Texas) High School in May 1978, he received a Congressional appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. After attending the Academy for two years, he transferred to Texas A&M University and joined the Corps of Cadets. In August 1982, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps. Subsequently, he earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Southern Illinois University in 1989 and a Master of Arts in Public Management from Midwestern State University in 1997. Upon completion of the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Officer Basic Course in December 1982, he served as Platoon Leader in the 332nd Medical Company (ACR) and later in a Medical Clearing Company in St. Louis, Mo.. Then, he served as Adjutant of the 114th Evacuation Hospital in San Antonio. When the 114th mobilized in 1990 and deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, he served as Operations Officer. Upon returning from active duty, he served as Patient Administration Officer in the 114th. His next assignment was Assistant Chief, Patient Administration, of the 5501st U.S. Army Hospital in San Antonio. Col. Blueitt served as Medical Team Chief, 3rd Battalion, 290th Regiment, 4th Brigade, 75th Division, in Oklahoma City. He later served as Staff Observer/Controller, Task Force III, 2nd Simulation Exercise (SIMEX) Group, 1st Bde., 75th Div., at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Next, he served as Chief, Supply Services Division (S-4), 345th Combat Support Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla., prior to becoming Staff Observer/Controller, CSS2, 2nd SIMEX Group, 1st Bde., 87th Div., in Birmingham, Ala. In September 2001, Blueitt became Medical Operations Officer for the 309th Medical Group in Rockville, Md. In March 2003, he became Executive Officer of the 309th Medical Group, one week prior to the unit mobilizing to support of Joint Task Force Civil Support as part of Operation Noble Eagle in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). After returning from active duty, he returned as Executive Officer of the 309th Medical Group. In March 2005, Col. Blueitt took command of the 18th Field Hospital and became Reserve Center Commander of the new Army Reserve Center at Fort Story, Va. Blueitt was selected to command the 7304th Medical Support Training Battalion (MTSB), at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, and was promoted to the rank of Colonel in September 2006. The 7304th MTSB activated in October 2006, and he became the first commander of the unit, tasked with synchronization and training management support to 59 Reserve medical units in a nine state area. On June 1, 2009, Blueitt took command of the 2nd Medical Brigade consisting of 3,400 assigned Soldiers and $400 million of equipment in 35 medical units in 4 western states. Col. Blueitt’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), Army Commendation Medal (7OLC), Army Achievement Medal (1OLC), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (7OLC), National Defense Service Medal (second award), Southwest Asia Service Medal (3BSS), Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Silver Hourglass and 2 “M” Devices, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), and a Meritorious Unit Commendation. Col. Blueitt is a graduate of the Air War College, Joint Forces Staff College, Battalion / Brigade Pre-Command Course, Practical Comptrollership Course, Joint Interagency Civil Support Training Center Course, Security Manager Course, Command and General Staff Officer Course, Battle Command (Simulation Exercise) Course, Observer / Controller Course (Lanes), the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Patient Administration Officer Course, Army Medical Department Basic and Advanced Courses. Blueitt is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives, Board Certified in Healthcare Management, and a Certified Defense Financial Manager. He was awarded the coveted “A” Proficiency Designator in Healthcare Administration by the Army Surgeon General and has been inducted into prestigious Order of Military Medical Merit. Col. Blueitt’s civilian career highlights include Financial Analyst, U.S. Army Medical Command, Financial Management Officer, Navy Expeditionary Medical Support Command; Administrative Officer, National Institutes of Health; Productivity Manager, Peoples First Community Bank; Director of Financial Management and Analysis, Helen Farabee Regional MHMR Centers; Chief, Financial and Business Operations, Rolling Plains Community MHMR Services, and Assistant Regional Business Director, Texas Department of Health and Human Services. He is currently Chief, Program Operations for TRICARE-Latin America and Canada in San Antonio. TRICARE-Latin America and Canada supports over 46,000 beneficiaries in 42 countries.