LTC Thomas W. Bamford began his career in 1984 as a Field Artillery Cannon Crewman followed by Rotary Wing Flight School. He was commissioned an Aviation Officer upon graduation from Branch Immaterial Officer Candidate School Class 1-95 at Fort Benning, Georgia. LTC Bamford’s first duty assignment was as a Flight Platoon Leader and Liaison Officer 1/6 Infantry Division (L), Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

His subsequent assignments include: Aide-de-camp HQ U.S. Army Alaska; Brigade S4 and  Company Commander Fort Rucker, Alabama; Aviation Personnel System Staff Officer HQ DA; Aviation Advisor to the Commanding General of the Roya Saudi Air Corp; Battalion Executive Officer, Columbia Recruiting Battalion; Embedded Training Team Aviation Advisor to the 203d Afghan Army Corps, Gardez, Afghanistan, Chief of Operations Nights and Officer in Charge of the Forward Liaison Element for a potential Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa; Executive Officer to the G-3/5/7s, U.S. Army Africa; Battalion Commander, 2d Battalion, 210th Aviation and Deputy Brigade Commander 128th Aviation Brigade Fort Eustis, Virginia. As a Department of the Army Civilian LTC (RET) Bamford has served as the Chief of Staff Corpus Christi Army Depot and Assistant Chief of Staff Army Materiel Command.

His military education and training includes: Warrant Officer Candidate School; Army Aviation Flight School; CH-47 Aircraft Transition Course; Air Assault School; Electronic Warfare Officers Course; Aviation Officer Basic Course, U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare Officers School; Combined Arms Service and Staff School; Army Force Management School; Command and General Staff College.

His highest military awards include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (w/3 OLCs), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (w/5 OLCs), Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NATO Medal, Non-Commissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd award), Army Service Ribbon, Army Staff Identification Badge, Recruiting Badge Gold with 3 Star Sapphires, Combat Action Badge, Army Aviator Badge, Air Assault Badge.