Colonel David S. Best was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 10-64, 2 December 1964. His first duty assignment was as company Commander, K Company, 2nd Training Regiment (Basic Combat Training), Fort Dix, New Jersey. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Reconnaissance Team Leader and Reaction Company Commander, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Vietnam; Company Commander, Battalion S3, Assistant Brigade S-3 and G-3 Training Officer, 3rd Infantry Division, Germany;  Tactics Instructor, Fort Benning, Georgia; Battalion Executive Officer, Inspector General and Brigade Executive Officer, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado; Plans Officer, Combined Field Army, Korea; and Battalion Commander, 3rd Battalion, 41zt Infantry, 2nd Armored Division, Germany/Fort Hood, Texas; Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, First Army, Fort Meade, Maryland. | Colonel Best is graduate of the Basic Airborne Course, Ranger Course, Special Forces Course, Armor Officers Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, Inspector General Course, and the Army War College. | His military awards include: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (5th award), Air Medal (2nd award), Air Medal w/ V Device (1st award), Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd awards Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge and Ranger Tab.