Biography

Colonel Joel K. Tyler was commissioned in Armor as a Distinguished Military Graduate from the University of Arkansas Army ROTC in 1988. His first assignment was to the First Infantry Division (Forward), Boeblingen, Federal Republic of Germany, as Platoon Leader, later Executive Officer, for D Co/3-34 Armor, with whom he deployed in support of OPERATION DESERT SHIELD/STORM. He was then assigned as Executive Officer, C Co/2-13 Armor (OSUT), 1st Armored Training Brigade, Fort Knox, Kentucky.

In 1993, he served as the S-3 Air for 2-72 Armor, Second Infantry Division, Republic of Korea. Following that tour, then CPT Tyler was assigned to the National Training Center's Opposing Forces (OPFOR) Regiment, where he served as S-3 Air for 1-63 Armor, later 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, and commander of Alpha Troop, 1-11 ACR. Subsequently, he was assigned as Executive Officer/Assistant Professor of Military Service (APMS) for the Army ROTC battalion at Southern University and A & M College, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

In 2000, then MAJ Tyler was assigned as S-1, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, First Armored Division, Fort Riley, Kansas, later as S-3, 1-13 Armor and finally as S-3, 3/1 AD, which included deployment to OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. Next, he served as the Senior Command and Control Observer/Trainer, Operations Group Bravo, Battle Command Training Program at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas where he was responsible for coaching the battle staffs of the Army's divisions and corps.

COL Tyler commanded 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division at Fort Riley, Kansas from June 2006 to May 2008, training Transition Teams for deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom and later building and training a full 800-soldier Combined Arms Battalion. Following battalion command, he deployed to serve as the J-3 for the Iraq Assistance Group, providing security force assistance expertise to the Multi-National Corps - Iraq. In August 2009, COL Tyler assumed the position as the Chief of Training and Leader Development for the Future Force Integration Directorate. His most recent assignment was at the Naval War College, from which he graduated in June 2011.

He is a graduate of the Scout Platoon Leader's Course, Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the Command and General Staff College, and the United States Naval War College. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Arkansas, M.S. from Central Michigan University in Public Administration, and M.A. from the College of Naval Warfare in National Security and Strategic Studies.

His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Meritorious Service Medal (5 OLC), the Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Saudi Arabian/Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon (2) and the Parachute Badge.