COL MARIO A. DIAZ
COL Mario A. Diaz was born in Montebello, California and was raised in Sierra Madre, California. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1990.
COL Diaz's initial assignment was with the 3-327th Infantry, 1st Brigade “Bastogne Brigade”, 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) from February 1991 to January 1995. There he served as a rifle platoon leader, rifle company executive officer, reconnaissance platoon leader, and assistant brigade S3.
After completion of the Infantry Officer Advance Course, COL Diaz was assigned as an Asst. Professor of Military Science at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, TN. In September of 1997 COL Diaz returned to the 101st and was assigned to 2-187th Infantry, 3rd Brigade “Rakkasans”, where he has served as the BN Asst. S3 and as commanding officer, D Company, 2-187th Infantry from May 1998 until July 1999. In July 1999, COL Diaz assumed command of the 101st Pathfinder Company (Airborne) until March 2001.
After attending Command and General Staff College and the Advanced Military Studies Program (School of Advanced Military Studies) at Ft.Leavenworth, Kansas, COL Diaz was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division (Light). While assigned to the 25th, COL Diaz served as the Division Lead Planner, Chief of Future Plans for CJTF-76 in Bagram Afghanistan, Operations Officer for 1-27th Infantry “Wolfhounds” in Huwaijah, Iraq, Executive Officer for 1-27 Infantry, and as Executive Officer for the 2nd Brigade during the unit’s transformation to a Stryker Brigade Combat Team. In May of 2007, COL Diaz assumed command of 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry “Gimlets”. In December of 2007, LTC Diaz deployed his Stryker battalion for fifteen months to west Baghdad, Iraq (OIF 07-09), controlling the areas of Abu Ghraib, Nasar Wa Salaam, and Zaidon.
COL Diaz served as the Military Assistant to Secretary of the Army from July 2009 to August 2010, serving both Secretary Geren and Secretary McHugh. Prior to assuming command of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, COL Diaz attended the National War College in Washington, D.C. from August 2010 to July 2011.
COL Diaz’s decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (w/2OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (w/3OLC), Joint Service Accommodation Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Combat & Expert Infantryman's Badge, Ranger Tab, Sr. Parachutist’s Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Pathfinder Badge. His military education includes Infantry Officer Basic & Advanced Course, Command & General Staff College, the Advanced Military Studies Program (SAMS), and the National War College. He has a M.A. in History from AMU, a M.M.A.S. from the USACGSC, and a M.S. from the National Defense University.
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