Colonel Richard J. Poole received a Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) commission in 1982, as a Quartermaster Officer, upon graduation from Longwood University. He also holds a Masters Degree in Logistics from Florida Institute of Technology; and a second Master’s Degree in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University. His military training and education include the Quartermaster Basic and Advanced Courses, US Army Combined Arms Staff Service School, US Army Command and General Staff College, Logistics Executive Level Development Course, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and Airborne and Aerial Delivery and Materiel Officer Courses. On 1 July 2007, Colonel Poole retired from the Army after a distinguished 25-year career, culminating as the Assistant Commandant, US Army Quartermaster School. In addition to numerous staff positions, from strategic to tactical levels of war, he commanded two Companies, the 203rd Forward Support Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Stewart, Georgia, 2d Infantry Division, Support Command, Camp Casey, Korea. Since his retirement, Colonel Poole has continued to serve selflessly as a Department of Army Civilian for both the Quartermaster and Logistics community. Colonel Poole served as the Director of Plans and Operations at the US Army Quartermaster School; Dean of Education and Operations; and at the US Army Logistics University. Colonel Poole is married to the former Michelle Marie Tewell of Sterling Park, Virginia. He has three grown daughters; Candice, Julie and Heather and two stepsons; Brian and Matthew. He has eight grandchildren; Joseph, Zachary, David, Sophie, Lucas, Grey, Rlynn, and Avery.