Colonel Gregory W. Batts received his commission as an Infantry second lieutenant in May 1979 through the ROTC program at Wofford College where he was a Distinguished Military Graduate. Throughout his military career he has served as a traditional Citizen-Soldier in the SCARNG while pursuing a civilian career with the Charleston South Carolina Police Department from which he retired in October 2003. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel on 10 April 2003, and assigned as the Deputy Commander, 218th Enhanced Separate Brigade on 1 October 2005. Upon the unit’s deployment to Afghanistan in May 2007 COL Batts became Deputy Commander, CJTF Phoenix VI.
Colonel Batts’ previous assignments in the SCARNG include Platoon Leader, A Company 1-118 Infantry, Executive Officer, A Company 1-118 Infantry, Company Commander, A Company 1-118 Infantry, Company Commander, C Company 1-118 Infantry, S3-Air, 1-118 Infantry Battalion (M), S3-Air, 218th Enhanced Separate Brigade, S3, 1-118 Infantry Battalion (M), Executive Officer 1-118 Infantry Battalion (M), Battalion Commander, 1-118 Infantry Battalion (M), S3, 59th Troop Command, Executive Officer, 59th Troop Command, and Chief of Staff, 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command.
Colonel Batts earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Wofford College in 1979, a Master of Arts degree in Education from the Citadel in 1994, and Master of Strategic Studies degree from the United States Army War College in 2004.
Colonel Batts’ formal military schools include the Infantry Officer Basic Course, the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Command and General Staff Officer’s Course, and the U.S. Army War College.
Colonel Batts’ military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon.
