Lieutenant Colonel Mark T. Newdigate from Maysville, KY, received an U.S. Army commission in 2003 as an Armor officer through Army ROTC after graduating from the University of Kentucky, where he earned a B.A. in Geography. He first served as an Anti-Tank Platoon Leader to D TRP, 1st SQDN, 2nd ACR. Following a 2004 combat deployment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, he volunteered to deploy again in 2005 in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, assigned as a Reconnaissance Platoon Leader to A TRP, 2nd SQDN, 14th CAV, 1st BDE, 25th ID. Upon redeployment, he served as the Squadron Maintenance Officer, 4th SQDN, 2nd CAV REGT.
LTC Newdigate completed Special Forces training in 2008 and was assigned as the Detachment Commander for SFOD-A 5335, 3rd BN, 5th SFG (A). Following a 2010 combat deployment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, he served as Executive Officer, Company C, 3rd BN, 5th SFG(A), and deployed again to Iraq in 2011 as an Assistant Operations Officer to Special Operations Task Force – North, during Operation NEW DAWN. Upon redeployment, he was selected to command Battalion Headquarters Support Company, 1st BN, 5th SFG(A).
LTC Newdigate was selected to attend the Naval Postgraduate School in 2012 where he earned an M.S. Defense Analysis concentrating in Irregular Warfare, and completed the Naval Command and Staff Course. LTC Newdigate was selected to attend the School of Advanced Military Studies in 2013 where he earned an MMAS from the US Army Command and General Staff College. Additionally, he was selected and completed the Strategic Broadening Program at the US Army War College and the National Defense University Center for the Study of WMD Program for Emerging Leaders.
LTC Newdigate was selected as the Battalion Operations Officer (S-3), 6th Special Activities Training Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (A) in 2015. He was specially selected to deploy to UAE in 2016 to support SOCCENT planning and led the reestablishment of theater special operations in Yemen. Upon redeployment, LTC Newdigate was selected to serve as Commander, Company C, 6th BN, 1st SWTG(A); responsible for the training of Special Forces Site Exploitation and Surveillance activities. From 2017-2018, he was hand selected to serve as the Group Executive Officer, 1st SWTG(A).
LTC Newdigate most recently served as the J33, Current Operations Officer, at the Joint Special Operations Command. While assigned to JSOC, he has served as a Liaison Officer to US Central Command and deployed as the Deputy Director of Operations (DJ3) to a Joint Task Force and as an Operations Officer in support of contingency operations during Operation INHERENT RESOLVE in 2020.
LTC Newdigate’ s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal w/ Oak leave cluster, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Combat Action Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Special Forces Tab.