Colonel Stephen Cherry received his Bachelor’s Degree from East Carolina University and Masters Degrees from the City University of New York in Public Administration and a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the Marine Corps War College, Marine Corps University, in Quantico, Virginia.

Stephen enlisted in the Army 19 December 1983 and attended Infantry Basic and Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Benning, GA. His first duty assignment was an Infantryman in the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division at Ft. Carson, Colorado. In 1986, he was selected for U.S. Army Officer Candidate School. After commissioning, he attended the U.S. Army Airborne School followed by attendance at the Infantry Officer Basic Course. He served as an infantry officer until August 1990. That year he was selected for Captain and force aligned by the Army to be a Quartermaster officer. He spent over 30 years on active duty serving over six years as an Infantryman and 24 years as a Logistician.

Colonel Cherry commanded two FORSCOM Brigades; the 49th Quartermaster Group at Ft. Lee, Virginia and the 7th Sustainment Brigade at Joint Base Langley Eustis, Virginia. He also commanded the 264th Corps Support Battalion at Ft. Bragg, NC and in Iraq. He served in Iraq, Egypt, Hawaii, and within CONUS. Additionally, he served a Joint assignment with the J3/4 at Joint Forces Command, Norfolk, Va and on the Department of the Army Staff in the G-3/7, Force Management Division in the Pentagon.

His military awards include the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Army Legion of Merit (second OLC), Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), Army Meritorious Service Medal (5 OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4 OLC), Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Parachute Rigger Badge and Army Staff Identification Badge. Mr. Cherry was inducted into the US Army OCS Hall  of Fame in May of 2013 at Ft. Benning, GA.