Professor of Military Science
LTC EDWIN H. ESCOBAR
Professor of Military ScienceFlorida A&M University
LTC Edwin Escobar first joined the US Army at the age of seventeen for a 3-year enlistment in the US Army Chemical Corps as a Chemical Operations Specialist in the 12th Chemical Company, 1st Infantry Division (M), Fort Riley, Kansas. In 1991 he deployed to Saudi Arabia and Iraq for Operation Desert Shield & Operation Desert Storm.
After his enlistment, he attended the University of Florida where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. After his designation as Distinguished Military Graduate from the University of Florida ROTC program, he received his commission in 1996 as a Military Police Officer.
Upon completion of the Military Police Officer Basic Course, LTC Escobar was assigned as a platoon leader, 554th Military Police Company, 95th Military Police Battalion, Stuttgart, Germany and two weeks later deployed to the Balkans in support of Operation Joint Endeavor in 1996. During his time in Germany, he later deployed to Slavonski Brod, Croatia in 1998 and subsequently to Rijeka, Croatia in support of Operation Joint Guard.
After completing the Military Police Officers Advanced Course, LTC Escobar assumed command of the 549th Military Police Company, 3d Military Police Battalion, Ft Stewart, Georgia. In 2002, he deployed the company to Bosnia-Herzegovina during Stabilization Force 11. His unit was the recipient of the 2002 J.P. Holland Award, which is the “Best Military Police Company in the Department of the Army”.
LTC Escobar served as the Battalion S3 for the Benning Criminal Investigation Command (Division) at Ft Benning, Georgia and was handpicked for the Detainee Assessment Task Force during the Abu Ghraib investigations. LTC Escobar was then assigned as a Force Protection Officer for US Army North at Ft Sam Houston, Texas, but at Initial Operating Capability became the Provost Marshal of an Army Service Component Command and built the construct of a Force Protection directorate.
LTC Escobar was once again deployed to Iraq as the Police Operations Advisor on a National Police Transition Team. His duties included teaching, coaching, and mentoring the Iraqi National Police Brigade S3 in the Multinational Division-Baghdad. Completely embedded, LTC Escobar and his Iraqi counterpart planned multiple counterinsurgency operations in Salma Pak and in Baghdad.
LTC Escobar attended the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), a United States Department of Defense Institute located at Fort Benning to complete Intermediate Level Education and simultaneously completed hisMaster of Science in International Relations (MSIR) degree program with Troy University.
LTC Escobar’s most recent assignment was with United States Army Africa in Vicenza, Italy. A highlight when working as a Provost Marshal was integrating a multidisciplinary approach to train the Burkinabe Gendarmerie with the Regionally Aligned Force, the Italian Carabinieri from the Center of Excellence in Stability Police Units, and representatives from INTERPOL in support of the Trans Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership. Other missions ranged from training and equipping partnered nations, like in Uganda and executing theater security cooperation engagements in Djibouti, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso.
LTC Escobar’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (5), Army Commendation Medal (8), Army Achievement Medal (5), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2), NATO Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait). Badges include the Combat Action Badge, Air Assault and the Parachutist. Foreign awards include the German Armed Forces Efficiency Badge (Bronze), Nijmegan Medal, Danish Contingency Medal (2), and the German Schützenschnur (Silver).
LTC Escobar is married to the former Kristie Wilson of Gainesville, Florida. They have three children; Veronika, Noah and Landon.
