Chris Blom Email & Phone Number

United States

Leavenworth, Kansas, United States

Operations Management• Directed planning and execution of 17 Command Post Exercise III events for all unit levels, supporting 8 units/organizations operating worldwide. Managed all planning conferences and guided unit planners to maximize efficiency, achieve compliance, and meet training objectives.• Oversaw the successful execution of Project Convergence 2022 worth $1.2B, an experimental exercise involving collaboration with multiple agencies in testing 220 defense technologies for future Army capabilities.• Coordinated rapid deployment of Virtual/Constructive Forces equipment from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Carson, overcoming logistical constraints.Simulation and Training Support• Provided simulation support to the Army Forces, Army Reserve, and National Guard, ensuring integration of the deployment logistic models across 2 corps and 11 divisions.• Supervised the aerial imagery processing through the weapon system Part-Task Trainer program.• Enhanced knowledge-sharing by refining the Global Simulation Training Program for 6 new planners and officers.• Delivered innovative solutions to complex challenges, coordinating responses from 13 Generals leading various organizations to ensure exercise goals were met effectively.Leadership and Mentorship• Delivered updated training movements and standards on Army fitness tests during officer physical training sessions, fostering team cohesion and improving fitness readiness.• Successfully led the Initial Exercise Planning (IEP), achieving the executive leader’s training intent while managing competing organizational requirements.• Coordinated exercise support between Regional Simulation Centers and U.S. Army units/organizations in Europe and Korea, facilitating seamless training events across multiple locations.

Columbus, Georgia, United States

Served as a Battalion Executive Officer.Operations Management• Managed 22 weeks of basic skills training cycles, successfully onboarding 4.1K+ service members.• Directed the processing and movement of 17K+ trainees during holiday leave, ensuring adherence to travel timelines.• Coordinated the integration of two additional companies to support the training unit expansion initiative.• Oversaw all staff actions required to conduct initial entry training for 5K+ personnel annually.• Supervised administrative and logistical operations supporting four active and one reserve component companies, including personnel management, facilities and equipment maintenance, and information systems management.• Managed a $310K annual budget and oversaw the maintenance and utilization of facilities valued at $33M.• Supervised and ensured the success of 2 annual inspections, 14 property inventories, and 200+ personnel evaluations to maintain high standards of performance and operations.Leadership and Team Development• Mentored 28 senior and junior personnel, fostering professional growth and enhancing team effectiveness.• Directed 12-team military and civilian employees, ensuring mission success and operational excellence.• Supported the executive officer’s initiatives to enhance work and family balance and wellness programs, Family Readiness Group activities, and other community engagement efforts.Strategic Planning and Program Execution• Planned, developed, and executed a campaign plan commended by the head of the Maneuver Center of Excellence.• Led two staff in the training-related decision-making process, coordinating efforts between two organizations and the Budget, HR, Real Property, and Property staff to achieve a successful complex mission blueprint.• Managed an annual operating budget of $300K+, ensuring resource allocation aligned with mission priorities.

Leesville, Louisiana, United States

Advisory and Strategic Planning• Advised 35 active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve units/organizations for imminent deployment supporting Overseas Contingency Operations.• Served as the primary liaison for 8 planners at all levels, developing training schedules that integrated international initiatives.• Developed and synchronized 6 comprehensive training scenarios, ensuring alignment with objectives.• Represented knowledge-sharing at the British Army’s Kenya training facility, collaborating on multinational training.Operations Management• Managed training center operations, including six training cycles, readiness evaluations, and deployment coordination for U.S. forces in Afghanistan.• Oversaw 35 training cycles valued at $33M, coordinating 350 contracted civilians and high-cost constructive training assets.• Collaborated with headquarters to align operations across six organizations and streamline reporting processes.• Streamlined the execution of seven Decisive Action Training Environment (DATE) rotations and two Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB) rotations, creating models for future exercises.• Planned and executed two training sessions, integrating key training elements such as electronic warfare, cyber operations, live fire exercises, and civil affairs.• Coordinated a last-minute "fly-away" mission for 11 subordinate units/organizations under tight deadlines.Leadership and Team Development• Coordinated 95 distinguished visitor engagements, including 35 visits by general officers within six months.• Spearheaded key initiatives such as deployment ceremonies, family events, and creating a comprehensive Leader Development Program (LDP).• Designed and implemented innovative systems for training management and resource allocation, streamlining organizational efficiency.• Developed and delivered eight organizational briefings to senior military and civilian leaders visiting the JRTC.

Fort Polk, La

Served as a JRTC Rotational Planner after being selected to plan, coordinate and control a FORSCOM funded JRTC rotation for a Brigade Combat Team (BCT) of over 5,000+ Soldiers and totaling over $25 million per exercise. As the project manager of a large scale exercise I led a team of subject matter experts in various fields of combat and support focused fields to build a scenario while meeting the training objectives of a Division Commanding General Officer. As the exercise controller I gained valuable experience in synchronizing events, identifying high risk, and developing creative solutions to problems through daily updates in order to keep my higher headquarters properly informed.

Schofield Barracks, Hi

Served as the Company Commander, where I trained and led a Stryker Infantry Company of 70+ Soldiers, on mounted and dismounted infantry maneuver task in accordance with higher Commander’s guidance and U.S. Army doctrine. Developed and mentored five junior Officers during command and supervised training of three platoons and headquarters section. Overall accountable and responsible for over $100M worth of U.S. Army vehicles, weapons, communications equipment, and supplies for training and combat operations.

Schofield Barracks, Hi

Developed a training plan spanning 24 months for an infantry battalion consisting of 700+ Soldiers to prepare for combat deployment. Successfully managed current operations of five infantry companies and battalion headquarters during a training deployment exercise providing the Commander key updates, maintaining his ability to effectively command the battalion as needed.

Fort Shafter, Hi

Advised, assisted and mentored eleven company commanders in a National Guard Brigade Combat Team on collective level training in preparation for future combat deployment operations. Advised three battalion level staffs on the Military Decision Making Process, enabling units to conduct proper staff functions and present doctrinally correct options to the Battalion Commanders. Supervised a team of eleven Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers to work as a team and partner with stated units to achieve desired outcome.

Fort Stewart, Ga

Served as a Company Commander, leading 130+ man infantry company and was overall responsible for training, readiness, U.S. Army property and administrative actions. Supervised training of three platoons and headquarters section by training junior Officers to plan and execute training in accordance with the Battalion Commander’s guidance and U.S. Army doctrine.

Fort Stewart, Ga

Selected by Battalion Commander to serve as a Scout Platoon Leader, leading the battalion scout reconnaissance platoon, of 36 Soldiers, during combat operations in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom. Platoon served as the battalion quick reaction force capable of responding anywhere within the battalions area of operations. Provided the battalion with decisive firepower and ground force maneuver during times immediate combat by maintaining a high level of readiness, pre-planned mission orders and deploying within five minutes of being alerted.

Fort Stewart, Ga

Second in Command of an infantry company and responsible for all logistical support of a combat outpost to support the higher commands mission during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Provided rations, ammunition, fuel, and building supplies over a ten month period to build up combat outpost defenses. Acted as the ground force commander in absence of company commander and provided daily situation reports to higher headquarters to allow company commander to focus on current operations.

Fort Stewart, Ga

Led infantry platoon as the Platoon Leader of 42 Soldiers and supervised sections on infantry training task in preparation for combat deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Responsible for over $65 million worth of combat vehicles, communications equipment and supplies to support training and combat operations. Developed training plans that aligned with company commander’s guidance and supervised the training of squad and section leaders.