Lieutenant Colonel John Kline currently serves as Deputy Commander for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District, which provides engineering, construction management, and general services in support of U.S. national interests in Europe and Africa with projects in 44 countries.
Kline was born in Michigan and enlisted in the United States Army National Guard as an Infantryman, serving in 2/130 INF Illinois National Guard. In 2008, he commissioned in the Corps of Engineers. In 2009, John was assigned to OPS CO, HHBN, USARPAC, where he served as an Executive Officer, supporting Theater Security Cooperation Program missions across INDOPACOM. In 2010, he was assigned as a Sapper Platoon Leader in the 34th Sapper Company, 65th Engineer Battalion (Combat). He deployed in 2010 to Iraq as a Sapper Platoon Leader in support of Operation New Dawn. He subsequently served as Company Executive Officer. In 2012, he served as an Assistant S3 for the 65th Engineer Battalion (Combat).
In 2011, he was assigned to 6th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Engineer Brigade Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson (JBER), AK as an Assistant S3 supporting the ARSTRUC BSTB to BEB transition. He served as Company Commander, standing up B Co, 6BEB, and later served as Company Commander for HHC/BDE, 4/25 IBCT, JBER, AK.
Following command, he was selected as an Olmsted Scholar in Madrid, Spain, and later served as a research fellow for the Polytecnica University of Madrid conducting research and development coordination for innovation practices in South America.
He next served as the Brigade Engineer and BCT Plans officer for 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82d Airborne Division, where he supported the deployment of the Immediate Response Force Activation for Operation Allies Refuge. Subsequently he served as the Battalion S3 and Executive Officer for the 127 Airborne Engineer Battalion, 1BCT, 82d ABN DIV, supporting the Division’s Immediate Response Force and activations to Europe.
Kline holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Biological Sciences from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, a Master of Science in Engineering Management from Missouri University of Science and Technology, a Master’s of Economics and Innovation Management from the Autonomous University of Madrid, and a Master’s of Operational Studies from the Command and General Staff College, Ft Leavenworth KS.
Kline’s military education includes Infantry Basic Course, Explosive Ordnance Clearance Agent, Unit Movement Officer Course, HAZMAT Course, Basic Officer Leader Course, Engineer Captain’s Career Course, and Command and General Staff College.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, the Meritorious Unit Citation, Iraqi Campaign Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, and National Defense Service Ribbon. He has earned the Expert Soldier Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, Sapper Tab, Pathfinder badge, Canadian Parachutist Badge and Bronze de Fleury.