Colonel William Phillip Dickens, Jr. was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Infantry Officer Candidate School Class of 507 at Fort Benning, Georgia on 22, July, 1968. His first duty assignment was as Platoon Leader, Company C, 23rd Infantry Battalion, 172nd Infantry Brigade, Anchorage, Alaska.

His notable duty assignments include: Company Commander, 3rd Advanced Infantry Training Brigade, Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Operations Officer, 271st Combat Aviation Company, Camp Humphreys, Korea; Commander, Company B, 1st Battalion, 508th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Professional Development Officer, Infantry/Aviation Branch, United States Army Military Personnel Center, Alexandria, Virginia; Commander, 48th Assault Aviation Company, VII Corps, Nellingen, Germany; Executive Officer, 223rd Combat Aviation Battalion, VII Corps, Echterdingen, Germany, Commander, 1st Attack Helicopter Battalion, 5th Aviation Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, Fort Polk, Louisiana; Executive Officer, Legislative Liaison, Army Staff, Pentagon; and Chief of Aviation Requirements, Operations and Plans, Pentagon. His last duty assignment was served as Deputy Director of Army Force Protection, Pentagon.

His military education includes: Jumpmaster School, Ranger School, United States Army Flight School, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Nuclear Chemical Target Analysis, Marine Command and Staff College, UH60 Qualification Course, United States Army War College and Harvard University National Security Program.

His highest military awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit (2nd Award), Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medals (6th Award), Air Medal (2nd Award), Army Commendation Medals (3rd Award), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantrymen Badge, Senior Army Aviator Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, and Ranger Tab.