COL Archie L. Bates III

Colonel Archie Bates is an Academy Professor and Acting Department Head of the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership at West Point. 

He is a native of Bessemer, Alabama. Colonel Bates graduated from West Point in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management. He also holds a Master of Science degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College, and both a Master of Arts and a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Maryland – College Park. 

Archie is a graduate of the Adjutant General’s Corps Officer Basic Course and Captains Career Course, the Combined Arms Services and Staff School, and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. 

His assignments include duty at Fort Carson, Colorado, where he was assigned to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment as the Officer Strength Manager, and he later commanded the Alpha Detachment of the 4th Personnel Services Battalion. Following his assignment at Fort Carson, he attended graduate school, then served as an Assistant Professor teaching Leadership and Management courses at West Point. His next assignment was as Brigade S1 for 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) -- both at Fort Campbell, KY and in Baghdad, Iraq. He later served as the Executive Officer to the Director of Human Resources Policy on the Army Staff at the Pentagon. Subsequently, Colonel Bates was selected to be a White House Fellow and Special Assistant to First Lady Michelle Obama. He worked with Ms. Obama to inspire the public and private sector to provide better employment, education, and wellness opportunities for service members, veterans, and their families. Following that assignment, he was a Legislative Liaison working for the Secretary of the Army. Archie’s last assignment was as battalion commander for the 120th Reception Battalion at Fort Jackson, SC -- the Army’s largest reception station, bringing into the Army over 40,000 Soldiers a year. 

Colonel Bates’ awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Presidential Service Badge, Army Staff Badge, and Major General Newman Award for Leadership Excellence.