COL Archie L. Bates III, Ph.D.

COL Archie Bates is an academy professor and acting head of the Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.

A native of Bessemer, Alabama, COL Bates graduated from West Point in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in management. He also holds a Master of Science 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. 

COL Bates 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 included 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 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) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, 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, COL Bates was selected to be a White House fellow and special assistant to then-First Lady Michelle Obama. He worked with Ms. Obama to inspire the public and private sectors to provide better employment, education, and wellness opportunities for service members, veterans, and their families. Following that assignment, he was a legislative liaison for the Secretary of the Army. His last assignment was as battalion commander for the 120th Reception Battalion at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, the Army’s largest reception station, bringing into the Army over 40,000 soldiers a year. 

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