Colonel Ronald R. Thaxton was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 2-81, 9 April 1981. His first duty assignment was as a Platoon Leader, Company B, 4th Battalion, 10th Infantry. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Platoon Observer Controller, Operations Group, Fort Irwin, California; Chief, Testing Branch, Directorate of Planning, Training and Mobilization, Fort Dix, New Jersey; Commander, Co E, 4th Bn, 3rd BCT, Fort Dix., New Jersey; Assistant S-3, 3rd BCT, Fort Dix, New Jersey; S-4/Ranger Instructor7th Ranger Training Bn, Fort Benning, GA; S-1, Ranger Training Brigade, Fort Benning, Georgia; S-3, 3rd Bn, 11th IN, Fort Benning, Georgia; Personnel Management Officer, 41st Area Support Group, Corozal, Panama; S-3, 3rd Special Operations Support Command, Fort Clayton, Panama; Executive Officer, 3rd Special Operations Support Command, Fort Clayton, Panama; Humanitarian and Civic Assistance Officer, U.S. Southern Command., Fort Amador, Panama; Branch Chief, Training, U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Chief, Training Division, U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Chief, Civil Affairs Policy Division, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida; Inspector General, U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Deputy Chief of Staff for nformation Operations, G-7, U.S. Army South, Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Commander, Installation and U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Dix, New Jersey; Commander, Installation and U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Dix, New Jersey. | Colonel Thaxton is a graduate of  Infantry Officer Basic and Advance Courses, Army Combined Arms and Service Staff School Army Command and General Staff College, National War College Airborne, Ranger, Jumpmaster, and Pathfinder Courses. | His military awards include: Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious  Service Medal w/ 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army, Commendation Medal w/ 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Achievement Medal w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal w/ 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge.