COL Mark Read, Ph.D.

COL Mark Read is a professor and head of the Department of Geography & Earth Sciences at the United States Military Academy (USMA).

He commissioned as a second lieutenant in the infantry upon graduation from USMA in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science in environmental engineering. COL Read holds a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in geography from Pennsylvania State University.

COL Read has served as an infantry officer with a wide range of leadership experience in both operational and institutional units. He has led soldiers in light, mechanized and Stryker formations with service in the continental United States, Germany, the Balkans, Iraq, and Kuwait. His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic Course, U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School, Combined Arms and Services Staff School and the Command and General Staff College. 

He is the officer in charge for the Army West Point orienteering team.