Biography

Colonel Charles J. Winn was commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduation from Infantry Officer Candidate School Class 30-69 (92nd Co). His first duty assignment was at Fort Gordon, Georgia, as a Company Training Officer with the 2nd Basic Combat Training Brigade; and later a Unit XO with Headquarters & Company A, 3rd Battalion, U.S. Army Southeastern Signal School.

COL Winn then served in Vietnam on a Mobile Advisory Team and was later attached to HHC 268th Combat Aviation Battalion as an Assistant S2. After release from active duty, he remained active in the reserve components while attending Rhode Island College, serving in the Rhode Island Army National Guard (ARNG) with Co D 19th Special Forces Group(A); and later with the USAR 76th Division Maneuver Training Command. In 1976, he transferred to the Massachusetts ARNG (MARNG) with the 2nd Battalion (Mechanized) 181st Infantry 26th Infantry Division, serving as S3 Air, Combat Support Company Commander, S2, and Rifle Company Commander. As a member of the Massachusetts ARNG full-time support force for six years, he managed the 18,000-acre Camp Edwards range complex; and later served as the Operations Officer of the 1st Battalion 181st Infantry, Engineer Plans Officer at the MARNG State Area Command, and Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion 181st Infantry. He returned to active duty in 1983, as an Assistant Professor of Military Science, and later, Commandant of Cadets at Tuskegee University, Alabama. He later served as the ARNG Plans, Policy and Training Coordinator at Fort Devens, Massachusetts.

His senior level assignments included the National Guard Bureau (NGB) as an ARNG Readiness Improvement Officer; on the HQDA General Staff in the DCSOPS (DAMO-TR) where he developed ARNG combat unit training strategies; and coordinated the Title XI General Officer Steering Committee that extended the ARNG Combat Readiness Reform Act provisions to the USAR. Winn was then assigned to NGB as the Asst Executive to the Director, ARNG; and later to Office of the Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs (OASD/RA) where he served on the Deputy Secretary of Defense Tiger Team, that developed the organization for defending against domestic Weapons of Mass Destruction terrorism, established by Presidential Decision Directive 62. From January 1998 until July 2000, he was the Senior National Guard Advisor for U.S. Forces Korea and Eighth U.S. Army. He retired from active duty on 1 Dec 2000, while serving as Special Assistant for Strategic Planning to the Director of the ARNG, NGB.

His military education includes the U.S. Army Infantry School’s Airborne and Officer Advanced Courses, Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College. COL Winn holds a B.A. from Rhode Island College and was inducted into Phi Alpha Theta Historical Honor Society. He also holds a M.S. from Troy State University.

COL Winn's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (w/ Oak Leaf Cluster), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal (w/ Oak Leaf Cluster); Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (w/ star), Vietnam Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross (w/ Palm) (unit), Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, HQDA Staff and OSD Staff ID Badges.