Recognizing the Service of Major Robert Coleman

Floor Speech

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Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Major Robert Coleman's exemplary and distinguished record of service to our country. Rob is an active-duty Military Police Officer in the United States Army, and he served as my Defense Fellow throughout last year.

A native of Monterey, California, Rob earned his degree in Psychology from Gonzaga University in 2009 as a Distinguished Military Graduate. He also attended the Marine Corps University and George Washington University, where he earned master's degrees in military studies and legislative affairs, respectively. During his 16-year career in the Army, Rob served in key tactical and strategic positions. He has successfully completed the Basic Officer Leader's Course, Air Assault School, Marine Expeditionary Warfare School, and the Marine Command and Staff College. Upon commissioning, Rob became a military police platoon leader in Kandahar, Afghanistan, where he was charged with training and coordinating with the Afghan National Police. He later deployed with the 101st Airborne Division to Afghanistan as an advisor to the National Directorate of Security. Following the deployment, Rob served for two years as a Company Commander in the 101st Airborne's 3rd Brigade Combat Team.

After his tenure as a company commander, Rob was stationed at the Pentagon as an Army Staff operations officer. He worked directly for the chief of the Integrated Personnel Pay System--Army (IPPS-A) program and later returned to the 101st Airborne to serve as its Chief of Operations and executive officer for battalion operations. For his outstanding service, Rob has earned two Bronze Star Medals, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, the Army Achievement Medal, the Air Assault Badge, and the Combat Action Badge. While serving as my Defense Fellow, Rob also played a critical role in drafting my NDAA priorities for FY2025, which ensured the Army and Department of Defense could adapt and modernize at the speed of warfare. He also helped enact an important law to grant military recruiters the same physical access to high school campuses in the same manner as colleges and industries, which allowed our Nation's Armed Forces to adequately address its recruiting crisis. I would like to thank Rob for his continued selfless service and contributions to our country. I am excited to see what lays ahead for him in the future.

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