Colonel Robert A. Kells was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School 8 October 1954, class number 69. His first duty assignment was as Platoon Leader, Company B, 13th Infantry Division, Fort Jackson, South Carolina. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Weapons Committee Instructor, Headquarters Company, 502d Airborne Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Advisor, ARMISH-MAAG, Training Team #3, Iran; Platoon Leader, 3rd Infantry Regiment, Fort Myer, Virginia; Saluting Battery Commander, 3rd Infantry Regiment, Fort Myers, Virginia; Executive Officer, Combat Spt Company, 1st Battle Group, 20th Infantry, USARCRIB; Chief, Property Disposal Division, U.S. Army technical Service, Pacific, USAECARIB; Assistant Division Supply Officer, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Brigade Supply Officer, 173d Airborne Brigade, Vietnam; Assistant Chief, Plans and Policies Division, Quality Assurance Director, Defense Contract Admin Services, Cameron Sta, Virginia; Assistant Chief, Industrial Property Management Division, Contract Admin Director, Defense contract Admin Service, Cameron State, Virginia; Commander, Defense Contract Admin Services District, Redding, Pennsylvania; Principal Assistant for Procurement, Headquarters, U.S. Army Europe. | His awards and decorations include: Meritorious Unit Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Defense Service Medal (Oak Leaf Cluster), Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 Oak Leaf Cluster), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Legion of Merit.