[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 106 (Thursday, June 17, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S4620]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO COLONEL DAVID W. TROTTER

  Ms. ERNST. Madam President, as a member of the Senate Armed Services 
Committee, I rise to pay tribute to COL David W. Trotter, who has 
selflessly served our great country as a U.S. Army intelligence 
officer. He is a fellow alumnus of the Iowa State University Cyclone 
Battalion and a dear friend of mine.
  Colonel Trotter will retire on November 30, 2021, after a successful 
30-year military career as an accomplished leader, infantry, and 
intelligence officer. Dave's leadership abilities were evident early 
on. I met Dave early in my days at Iowa State, where he served as a 
personal mentor and driving factor to my own service to this great 
Nation. From those early days, he grew even more as a leader and 
soldier, ultimately completing a storied career at home and abroad, in 
peace and in war. It is fitting that we recognize his service to this 
great Nation.
  Colonel Trotter was commissioned in 1992 upon graduating from Iowa 
State University as a distinguished military graduate with a bachelor 
in business. Dave served as an infantry platoon leader in Korea and a 
company executive officer at Fort Carson, CO. He then was selected as a 
company commander for 18 months with Headquarters and Headquarters 
Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment in Fort Lewis, WA. After 
command, he served as an operations officer for the Des Moines, IA, 
Recruiting Battalion before being selected for the prestigious 75th 
Ranger Regiment.
  Upon arrival at the 75th Ranger Regiment in Fort Benning, GA, Dave 
served as an assistant intelligence officer. He then was selected again 
for command, where he served as the military intelligence detachment 
commander. Throughout his time in the 75th Ranger Regiment, Dave 
deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
  As a field-grade officer, Dave served as an operations officer in the 
XVIII Airborne Corps, G2 section at Fort Bragg, NC. He then served as 
an operations officer and executive officer within the 525th 
Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, where he also deployed in support of 
Operation Iraqi Freedom. He then served again as an operations officer 
for the Intelligence and Security Command at Fort Belvoir, VA, before 
being selected for command of the Army Geospatial Intelligence 
Battalion at Springfield, VA.
  After various staff positions, Dave served as the chief of staff, 
Afghanistan Ministry of Interior Advisory Group, where he deployed 
again to Afghanistan in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and 
Freedom Sentinel. After a brief year on staff at Fort Huachuca, AZ, 
Dave deployed again in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, 
where he served as the III Corps G2. After redeployment, he was chosen 
to serve as the Army North senior intelligence officer. He then would 
transfer once more to Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, TX, 
where he served as the executive officer to the commanding general of 
Army North, Fifth Army.
  As his final assignment in uniform, COL David W. Trotter was selected 
to serve as the deputy commander for Joint Base San Antonio and the 
vice commander of the 502d Air Base Wing.
  A highly decorated officer, Dave earned several service awards, 
including the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster and the Bronze Star 
with oak leaf cluster, for his service. He also earned the Ranger Tab, 
the Master Parachutist Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, and the Air Assault 
Badge.
  Dave has deployed in support of combat operations in Afghanistan, 
Iraq, and Syria. He has served at every level and commanded with 
distinction at the company through brigade levels within the 
conventional force and within the Army's premier Special Operations 
Command. He and his family have sacrificed so much to ensure America 
can be what it is today.
  David, congratulations on your successful career and well-deserved 
retirement. I want to thank you and your family for the sacrifices you 
have made over the past 30 years. I join my colleagues in Congress and 
all Americans as we express our deepest appreciation for your service, 
acknowledge you and your family's many accomplishments and sacrifices, 
and wish the very best for you, your wife Tami, and your son Ty in the 
future.

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