Auburn University
Auburn University
Home Cadets MS IV: Senior Leadership Cadre Scholarship
Auburn University
"Leadership Starts Here. This IS the best leadership course in America."

Mr. Keith Pickens 
Battalion Executive Officer
Staff Advisor
     
Colonel Keith Pickens was commissioned a Regular Army officer in 1983 and served as a tank platoon leader, tank company executive officer and scout platoon leader in the 3d Battalion, 64th Armor in Schweinfurt, Germany. He returned to the United States in 1986 and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 32d Armor at Fort Hood, Texas, where he commanded a tank company during the Persian Gulf War. After redeploying to Fort Hood COL Pickens led the Bandit Battalion’s headquarters company until he was reassigned as an assistant professor of military science at the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama.
     
Colonel Pickens resigned his Regular Army commission and transferred to the United States Army Reserve in 1994. He served as an observer-controller with the 1st Brigade, 87th Division until 2001, when he was reassigned to the 101st Airborne Division Detachment, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. COL Pickens was mobilized in November 2001, and commanded the Division Detachment during its deployment to Kuwait and Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division. After returning to Fort Campbell, he served as adjutant of the 3397th Garrison Support Unit, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Colonel Pickens is currently on a leave of absence from the War Eagle Battlion while serving an extended active duty tour at the United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.
     
A distinguished Military Graduate of the Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Alabama, COL Pickens holds a Master’s of Public Administration degree form the University of West Florida and is a member of the honor society, Phi Kappa Phi. His military education includes the Armor Officer Basic Course, Armor Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School and Command and General Staff Officer’s Course. He has twice been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, and he holds three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals and three Army Achievement Medals.