COL Robert K. Pitman was commissioned as a Military Intelligence Officer from the Infantry OCS at Fort Benning, Georgia, 9 July 1971. His first assignment was to the Army Security Agency school at Fort Devens, Massachusetts as a Company Executive Officer.

His subsequent duty assignments include flying Aerial Intelligence Airplanes along sensitive borders in Korea, Germany, and Honduras, supporting the regional Combat Commanders. Project Officer for Air Reconnaissance Low for CINCSOUTH. His last duty assignment was as the Intelligence and Security Command Force Modernization Officer, responsible for acceleration of Army Program of Record systems to INSCOM units in some cases by decades.

His military education and training includes: Flight School, Fixed and Rotary wing, U.S. Army Aviation Safety Course (University of Southern California) Defense Acquisition College Program Management Course and the Army Forces Staff College.

His highest military awards include: Legion of Merit (2 awards), MSM (4 awards), ARCOM (4 awards), Joint Meritorious Unit Award (2 Awards), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2 Awards) and the Master Army Aviator Badge, The Silver Award of the Honorable Order of ST Michael for Aviation Service and the Knowlton Award for Intelligence Service.

Following his military career, he worked as a Senior Systems Engineer for INSCOM and continued to work on acceleration of Army equipment to INSCOM units. These improvements allowed for changes to the ARFORGEN for INSCOM Units. His contractor service was approximately 26 years.