Lieutenant General Joseph W. Kinzer was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 8-64 on 22 September 1964. His first assignment upon commissioning was Recon Platoon Leader, Rifle Co, 1st BN (ABN), 325th Inf, Fort Bragg,  NC. | His subsequent assignments included: Rifle Co executive officer/Cdr of HHC/Cdr C Co, lst BN (ABN), 325th Inf, Fort Bragg, NC; US Military Assistance Command (MACV), Republic of Vietnam, Battalion Advisor, ABN Division, Republic of Vietnam; G-3 Operations Officer/Command Briefer/Assistant SGS, XXIV Corps, Republic of Vietnam; S-3, 2nd BN (ABN), 504th Inf, Fort Bragg, NC; Tactical Officer, US Corps of Cadets, USMA, Westpoint, NY; Executive Officer, 1/506th Inf, Fort Campbell, KY; Chief, Plans G-3/DPT, 101st ABN Div, ASSLT, Fort Campbell, KY; Dep G-3/DPT, 101st ABN Div, ASSLT, Fort Campbell, KY; Cdr, 2nd BN, 503rd Inf, 101st ABN Div, ASSLT, Fort Campbell, KY; AC of S, G-3, 82nd ABN Div, Fort Bragg, NC; Deputy G-3 Operations, XVIII ABN Corps, Fort Bragg, NC. He is currently the Cdr, 3d Bde, 101st ABN DIV, ASSLT, Fort Campbell, KY. | Colonel  Kinzer has attended Jungle Warfare School, Air Transport School, Jumpmaster School, Airborne School, Armor Officers Advanced Course, Defense Language Institute Vietnamese Language Course, SOPM, JOPM, Command and General Staff School, Air Assault School, U.S. Army War College. | His military awards and decorations include: Bronze Star w/V Device and 2 Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Vietnamese Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge.