Lt. Col. Robert Kirkland is a highly decorated military officer, teacher and a recognized author. He retired after a 26-year career in the U.S. Army which culminated as the Army ROTC professor of military science at the University of Southern California (USC). Kirkland is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the Air War College and the Army Command and General Staff School.

As a young officer, Kirkland served two tours of duty both in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. His awards and decorations for service include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal (2 awards), the Iraq Service Medal (2 tours), the Southwest Asia Service Medal (2 tours), and foreign awards from the countries of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. He also earned the parachutist badge, the air assault badge, the Army Ranger tab, and the Combat Action Badge.

After his combat duty, Kirkland was named Assistant Professor of History at the U.S. Military Academy (West Point) from 1998-2001. He was honored as the best Army ROTC instructor in the United States in 2005, and headed the Army ROTC program at Claremont McKenna College (CA) from 2006-2009. From 2009-2010 he served as Chief Historian for all multi-national forces in Iraq and was chief historian advisor to Commanding General Raymond Odierno.

In addition to his military career, Kirkland has contributed greatly to the academic community. Contributions/achievements include: a PhD and master’s degree in History from the University of Pittsburgh, authoring two books and numerous academic articles, appearances on the History Channel and Biography Channel, interviews in numerous periodicals and newspapers, guest lecturing, and serving on the Executive Committee and as President and Vice President of the Middle Atlantic Council on Latin American Studies’ – earning the E. Bradford Burns Awards for his contributions to this organization. He has earned many other awards and honors. Kirkland is a life member of the Military Officers Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, U.S. Military Academy Association of Graduates and the University of Pittsburgh Alumni Association.