DAU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 2009 SYMPOSIUM

LTG Ross Thompson III 

LTG N. Ross Thompson III was assigned as Military Deputy, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) in November 2006. LTG Thompson previously served as the Director, Program Analysis and Evaluation Directorate, HQDA, G-8 from October 2004 through November 2006. From 2001 to 2004 he served as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command. Prior to his current assignment, he held a wide variety of command and staff assignments including three years as the Military Deputy Director, Program Analysis and Evaluation Directorate, HQDA, G-8.  

LTG Thompson is a distinguished military graduate of the College of William and Mary. Initially assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, he served as a platoon leader, company executive officer and company commander from 1975 to 1979. After receiving a Masters degree in operations research from George Washington University, he attended the Ordnance Officer Advanced Course. From 1980 to 1983, he served in Germany in the 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized), as a company commander, assistant brigade S-3, and brigade S-4. 

Staff assignments include tours as operations research analyst in the Military Personnel Center and Strategic Defense Command from 1983 to 1986. After graduating from the College of Naval Command and Staff in 1987 with a Masters degree in national security and strategic studies, he was assigned to Korea as the executive officer of the 194th Maintenance Battalion. LTG Thompson then served on the Armor Anti-armor Task Force in the Office of the Chief of Staff; as the materiel development team chief in the Armored Systems Modernization Coordination Office, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans; and as the coordinator for the Chief of Staff’s weekly Requirements Review Council. 

From 1991 to 1993, LTG Thompson commanded the 27th Main Support Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. He graduated from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 1994. For the next two years he was the special assistant to the Commanding General, Army Materiel Command. From July 1996 to July 1998 he commanded the 45th Corps Support Group (Forward), Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. 

LTG Thompson’s awards and decorations include the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit with third oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with fourth oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Department of the Army Staff Identification Badge, senior parachutist badge, and ranger tab.