Colonel David T. Theisen was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers from Officer Candidate School in December, 1985.  He holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from University of Missouri - Rolla, and A Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from University of Missouri, Columbia.

Colonel Theisen’s previous assignments include platoon leader and executive officer 16th Engineer Battalion, 1st Armor Division, Furth, Germany, 1986-1989.  Civil Engineer and Company commander in the 293rd Engineer Battalion, 18th Engineer Brigade, Baumholder, Germany, 1990-1991.  Assistant S3, Company Commander in the 40th EN BN, 2nde BDE, 1st Armored Division, 1991-1993.  Program manager, MILCON in the Kansas City District of The Army Corps of Engineers, 1993-1996.  Engineer Observer/Trainer C Team, BCTP Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, 1996-1998. S3 and XO of the 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas, in 1999-2001. Exchange Officer to the UK as Regimental Operations officer 35 ENGR REGT, 1st (UK) Armoured Division, Paderborn Germany, 2001-2003.  Deputy Commander for the 937th Engineer Combat Group, Fort Riley , Kansas, 2003-2004.   Commander  1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division 2004-2008.   Director of the Counter Explosive Hazard Center  (CEHC), Commandant US Army Mine Dog School  and TRADOC Co-Lead for the IEDD ICDT at FT Leonard Wood, Missouri, 2008-2010.

Colonel Theisen’s previous operational tours include, SFOR, KFOR and 3 tours in Operational Iraqi Freedom with 1st ARMD DIV (UK), 937th ENGR GRP and 1st EN BN.

Colonel Theisen is a graduate of Engineer Officer Basic Course, Junior Officer Maintainence Course, Engineer Officers Advanced Course, Combined Arms Services and Staff School, Command and General Staff College. 

Colonel Theisen’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal  ( 2nd Award), the Meritorious Service Medal (4rd award), the Army Commendation Medal (2nd award), the Army Achievement Medal (2nd award), Presidential Unit Citation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit award, Meritorious Unit Commendation,  National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal,  the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal,  the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Combat Action Badge.