Colonel Philip T. Pope was branched an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School in April of 1977. His first duty assignment was as a Weapon Platoon Leader, 3/11th Infantry, 5th ID, Fort Polk, Louisiana. | Colonels Pope’s assignments include tours in the United States, Europe and Asia. He commanded B Company, 3d Battalion, 11th Infantry, 5th Infantry Division at Fort Polk, Louisiana from May 1981 to December 1982. From 1986 to 1989, he served as a Tactical Officer at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. In 1990, he was assigned to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations, United States Army Europe (USAREUR) where he served as an Arms Control Officer. During Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM he served as the Operations Officer (S3) for the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Upon completion of his assignment in Germany, Colonel Pope assumed the duties as Chief, Regional Training Team, 1st Brigade, 78th Division (Exercise) at Fort Dix, New Jersey. From 1994 to 1996, Colonel Pope commanded the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry, 2d Infantry Division at Camp Hovey, Korea. In 1998, Colonel Pope returned to Europe where he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations (G3), 1st Infantry Division, and as the Assistant Chief of Staff Operation (DG3), V Corps. Colonel Pope has also served two tours on the Army Staff and arrives from the Pentagon where he served as the Legislative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army. Colonel Pope was Garrison Commander at Fort Riley at the time of his induction.