By Keith J. Hamel, WPAOG Staff
During his time as a cadet at West Point, Lieutenant Colonel (Promotable) Tom Nelson’s commitment to a military career began to solidify. “The challenges and purpose-driven environment fueled my determination,” he says; “however, it was when the Army offered me the opportunity to attend graduate school and teach in the USMA Department of Math that I knew I’d be in for a career.”
Prior to his decision, Nelson had several significant moments as a young Army officer. He commissioned in the Infantry upon graduation and deployed in 2005 to Afghanistan, where he served as a rifle platoon leader assigned to the brigade reserve platoon for Task Force Bayonet, supporting the Afghan parliamentary elections. After that, he deployed to Iraq with Task Force Falcon in support of the Joint Special Operations Command during the Iraqi Troop Surge (2006-08), which Nelson calls the most challenging assignment he’s had in the Army. “I faced the daunting task of conducting heliborne assault operations into Al Qaeda-controlled sanctuaries,” he says. During one mission, he led a nine-man patrol to conduct a search and attack and received a high volume of machine gun fire. Nelson coordinated support by fire and took control of attack aviation, destroying the enemy and uncovering a large enemy cache of weapons and supplies. For his actions, Nelson was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Valor. Nelson returned to Iraq in 2010, leading Company B, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment on more than 320 combat patrols with Iraqi Police.
After completing his USMA teaching assignment, Nelson transferred to the then-new Cyber branch (now 10 years old, as of September 2024). He says, “My decision to become a cyber officer was driven by a hunger for innovation, a commitment to technical excellence, and a belief that shaping the future of cyber operations would be not just a duty but a privilege.” His belief was confirmed while serving as the battalion operations officer (S-3) for the 782nd Military Intelligence Battalion (Cyber), leading the training effort to fully certify all 14 cyber teams to operational capacity nine months ahead of an October 2017 congressional mandate. “This was undoubtedly the most rewarding experience of my career,” he says. “I am immensely proud of the impact we made on national objectives.”
Nelson says that USMA’s character pillar has had the most profound impact on his 20-plus Army career: “The rigorous ethical training and emphasis on integrity at West Point shaped my core values and provided me with an unwavering moral compass that has guided my decisions throughout my career.” Beyond character, Nelson credits the bonds forged during the 47-month West Point experience as sustaining factors during his career. “The Long Gray Line remains a source of inspiration, reminding me that we are part of something greater than ourselves, and I encourage all those starting on this profound journey of service to consider the legacy they can leave by staying committed to their Army calling.”
Photo 1: LTC (P) Tom Nelson ’04. Photo 2: In 2005, then-2LT Tom Nelson ’04, a platoon leader for Charlie Company 1-325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, conducted a patrol to provide security to local nationals in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, a Taliban stronghold, and met with some 4- to 8-year-old children at the local Afghan National Army Outpost.
Click here to read about another West Point graduate who made the most recent list of graduates selected for promotion to colonel, LTC (P) Drew Chaffee ’05, who is currently serving as the HRC Signal Branch chief.
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