Lieutenant Colonel Robert Heatherly is from McHenry, Illinois. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Diplomacy and National Security and Strategic Studies from Hawai’i Pacific University and the same from the US Army War College. Rob graduated from Northern Illinois University as a Distinguished Military Graduate with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology and was commissioned as a Signal Officer with a branch detail in the Field Artillery before transferring over to the Acquisition Corps (FA51).  

Rob’s first assignment was at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii where he served as the Company Fire Support Officer for Alpha Company 1-27th Infantry. In January of 2004 he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. Midway through the deployment, LTC Heatherly was assigned as the Fire Direction Officer for Bravo Battery, 2-11th Field Artillery Regiment (105mm). When 2nd Brigade 25th Infantry Division redeployed in February 2005, Rob was assigned as the S4 for the 125th Signal Battalion at Helemano Military Reservation.  LTC Heatherly Commanded Headquarters Detachment 41st Signal Bn for 24 months. After Command he served as the Brigade Chief of Operations for 1st Signal Bde, Seoul Korea.  Next, Rob participated in the Expanded Graduate School Program at Hawaii Pacific University before conducting his Acquisition training in Huntsville, AL. Rob’s first acquisition assignment was a Contingency Contracting Officer at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ where he supported PEO-Ammo and PM Close Combat Systems. He deployed to OEF as the 408th Contract Support BDE’s Chief of Operations supporting CENTCOM and the Principal Authority Responsible for Contracting – Southwest Asia. He was then selected as a Training with Industry Fellow for Computer Science Corporation in Falls Church, VA. His first PM position was with PEO Soldier as the Assistant Product Manager for the Joint Effects Targeting System, the number one priority within PEO Soldier. He then was assigned as the Regional Director for the International Technology Center for Northeast Asia and the Military Science Advisor for US Army Japan. As the Product Manager for Mobile Protected Firepower/M10 Booker in PEO Ground Combat Systems, his team was awarded the program of the year in 2023 achieving a MS C decision for the ACAT1 program. He currently is the Military Deputy at DEVCOM Science and Technology Integration at APG MD.  

Some of LTC Heatherly’s military schools include the Program  Manager’s Course, Intermediate Level Education and  Qualification Course, the Army Acquisition Basic Course, Army  Intermediate Contracting Course, Army Intermediate Program  Manager’s Course, Signal Captain’s Career Course, Signal  Officer’s Branch Qualification Course, The Field Artillery  Officer’s Basic Course, the Mountaineering Course at the  Northern Warfare Center in Alaska, the Army Airborne School,  the Army Air Assault School, the Air Force’s Joint Firepower  Control Course, and the Army’s Combat Lifesaver Course. He  is DAWIA Level III certified in Program Management, Level III  in Contracting, Level III in International Acquisition, a Project  Management Professional (PMP), and has two published  thesis’ on North Korean Foreign Policy.  

Some of his awards and decorations include the Bronze Star  Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4OLC), Army  Commendation Medal (1OLC), Army Achievement Medal  (2OLC), Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism  Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal,  Korean Defense Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the  Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Driver/Mechanic  Badge, and the German Proficiency Badge in Gold. He is also  a recipient of the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara, Saint  Maurice, Saint George and Bronze Order of Mercury and is an  Army Acquisition Corps Member.  

LTC Heatherly has three awesome daughters Keira (19), Leila  (16), and Kaia (12) that reside in Birmingham Michigan.