Professor of Military Science, LTC David M. Bedard

Lieutenant Colonel Dave Bedard assumed command of the Clemson University Fightin’ Tiger Battalion on August 14, 2008, following a tour of duty with the 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

He graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 1991with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Infantry. Additionally, he earned a Master of Human Resource Development from Clemson University in 2002.

Lieutenant Colonel Bedard’s first assignment was in the 2nd Infantry Division, Republic of South Korea, as a rifle platoon leader. After completing a one year tour in Korea, he was assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia as a company executive officer in the Infantry Training Brigade; and then as a rifle platoon leader and support platoon leader in the 24th Infantry Division.

Upon completion of the Infantry Captain’s Career Course, Lieutenant Colonel Bedard served as the Battalion S4 in the 4th Ranger Training Battalion, followed by command of A Company, 1-38 Infantry Regiment, Infantry Training Brigade. After completion of company command, Lieutenant Colonel Bedard was assigned to Clemson University Army ROTC as the MS III Instructor and Battalion Training Officer.

Lieutenant Colonel Bedard served as a company trainer and battalion team chief as an advisor to the South Carolina Army National Guard’s 218th Enhanced Separate Brigade in their preparation for deployments to Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. He was then assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division where he served as the Brigade S1, 4th Brigade Combat Team during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) III, and as the Secretary of the General Staff, 3rd Infantry Division during OIF V.

His military education includes:

  • The Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses
  • Airborne School
  • Ranger School
  • Bradley Leaders Course
  • Human Resource Management Course
  • Command and General Staff College

Lieutenant Colonel Bedard’s military decorations include:

  • The Bronze Star Medal
  • The Meritorious Service Medal (5 awards)
  • The Army Commendation Medal (2 awards)
  • The Army Achievement Medal (3 awards)
  • The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals
  • The Presidential Unit Citation
  • The Valorous Unit Award
  • The Combat Infantryman Badge
  • The Parachutist Badge
  • The Ranger Tab

Lieutenant Colonel Bedard is married to the former Rhonda Colopy and has three daughters (Wrenn, Mary and Kendall) and one son (Grayson).