Lt. Col. Harold K. Watson II is the Commander of the U.S. Army Columbus Recruiting Battalion.
Watson graduated from Morgan State University in 2005 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Field Artillery Corps through the ROTC and later branch transferred to the Adjutant General Corps. His military education includes the Field Artillery Officers Basic Course, the Adjutant General Captains’ Career Course, the Brigade S1 Course, and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music (Piano Performance) from Morgan State University and a Master of Arts Degree in Human Resource Management from Webster University.
Key assignments include serving as the Strength Management Division Chief for G-1, United States Army Forces Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Theater Manning Chief and Plan and Exercise Chief, United States Army Europe and Africa G1 in Wiesbaden, Germany; Brigade S1, 2nd Armor Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division in Fort Riley, Kansas; Human Resource Branch Chief, 1st Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade while deployed to Kuwait; Readiness Branch Chief, Training and Doctrine Command G1 in Fort Eustis, Virginia; and Battalion S1, Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. During his time as a Field Artillery Officer, he served as a Fire Direction Officer, Platoon Leader and Fire Support Officer in 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment.
His combat and operational service include one combat deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and two operational deployments in support of Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Atlantic Resolve.
Watson’s military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4OLC), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (1OLC), and the Army Recruiting Badge.