COL Travis Tilman, Ph.D.

LTC Travis S. Tilman is an assistant professor and deputy director of the Simon Center for the Professional-Military Ethic at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. While at USMA, he has taught leadership and psychology classes in the Department of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership and served as a regimental tactical officer. 

The Henderson, Nevada, native graduated from USMA in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in engineering management.

Prior joining the West Point faculty, Tilman commanded the 70th Brigade Engineer Battalion “Kodiaks” in Alaska and in Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. From 2013-15, he served as the executive officer and operations officer of the 2nd Engineer Battalion at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Prior to that, he served as assistant professor and executive officer of West Point’s Center for Enhanced Performance.

Tilman commanded E Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment from 2006-08, which included a 15-month deployment to Baqubah, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, with the 1st Cavalry Division’s Engineer Brigade from 2004-05 when he served as the plans officer brigade and a project management officer for the Government Support Team. Prior to that, he served in Honduras with Joint Task Force-Bravo and as a platoon leader and company executive officer in the 1st Cavalry Division’s 20th Engineer Battalion.

Tilman holds a doctorate in education (higher education and organizational change) and a master's degree in education from University of California-Los Angeles; and a master's degree in kinesiology (sport and performance psychology) from California State University, Fullerton.

He and his wife, Marygrace, have two children, Samuel and Anna.