Colonel John Baskerville graduated from the U. S. Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Arabic and French Studies. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Aviation branch in May 1990. COL Baskerville served with the 1st Armored Division in Germany for his first assignment and later commanded an AH-64 Apache Company as part of the 3d Infantry Division. He also served 10 years as a Foreign Area Officer (FAO), with a Middle East regional specialty. As a FAO, his overseas service included one year in Jordan and two years as the Army Programs Chief in Muscat, Oman. From 2004-2006, he served as the Branch Chief, Security Cooperation for the Middle East Branch at U.S. Army Forces, Central Command. COL Baskerville holds a PhD from The University of Texas at Austin in Arabic Studies (2009), and holds masters degrees from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Middle Eastern Studies (2002) and from the U.S. Army War College in Strategic Studies (2010). In July 2010, COL Baskerville assumed duties as an Academy Professor and Program Coordinator for Arabic in the Department of Foreign Languages at West Point. In the spring of 2015, COL Baskerville was selected as the Deputy Head of the Department of Foreign Languages. From July 2015 through June 2016, COL Baskerville served in both Kuwait and Baghdad as the Director of Key Leader Engagement for Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve. Colonel Baskerville’s awards and decorations include: Army Aviator Badge; Army Parachutist’s Badge; Air Assault Badge; Legion of Merit; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Joint and Army Commendation Medals and the Army Achievement Medal.