Colonel Earl L. Umbarger was commissioned as an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 4A-63, 11 September 1963. His first duty assignment was as a Liaison Officer, 11th Air Assault Division, Fort Benning, Georgia. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Platoon Leader, 11th Air Assault Division, Fort Benning, Georgia; Executive Officer, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Benning, Georgia; Executive Officer, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, Vietnam; Requirements Officer, Combat Developments Experimentation Command, Fort Ord, California; Company Commander, 139th Ordnance Battalion, USAR, Bell, California; Assistant Adjutant (USAR Ready), 301st Civil Affairs Group, Los Angles, California; Lieutenant Colonel, 63rd USAR Command, Los Alamitos, California; Full Colonel, U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM), Fort Lewis, Washington. | Colonel Umbarger's military education and training include: 82nd Airborne, Basic Airborne Training; Non-Commissioned Officer Academy; U.S. Army Infantry School, Infantry Officer Candidate Course; U.S. Army Institute for Military Assistance; Civil Affairs Officer Advanced Course; 63rd USAR Command – Military Management. | His awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal (4 Service Stars), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Valorous Unit Award, Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Army Achievement Medal, Army Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Parachute Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge.