Robert A.B. Curris

Colonel (Retired) Bob Curris is a seasoned combat leader, joint strategist, and Psychological Operations expert whose career spanned more than three decades across the Army National Guard, Active Duty Army, and U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). A native of Lexington, Kentucky, he began his military journey as an 11B Infantryman in the Oklahoma National Guard before commissioning through the University of Arkansas Army ROTC program in 1992.

Colonel Curris earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas, where he also met his wife, Bobbi, a fellow Walton College alum. During his time at Arkansas, he served in Bravo Company, 1/180th Infantry Regiment, while training as a Simultaneous Membership Program cadet.

Following his commissioning, Colonel Curris served in both Field Artillery and later in Psychological Operations (PSYOP), where he found his professional calling. Over his long career, he completed ten overseas deployments, including Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Qatar, Kuwait, and Yemen. He commanded at every level from detachment to group, and held key roles within the USASOC, U.S. Army Central (ARCENT), and the Special Warfare Center and School (SWCS).

His leadership highlights include:

• Battalion Commander, 3rd PSYOP Battalion

• Group Commander, 4th PSYOP Group

• Commandant, Psychological Operations Schoolhouse, SWCS

• Information Operations Chief, CJTF–Operation Inherent Resolve

• Proponent Manager, PSYOP Force Modernization, USASOC

Throughout his career, Colonel Curris was instrumental in modernizing Army information operations, integrating PSYOP into joint and coalition efforts, and commanding deployed information support task forces in forward theaters. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, and multiple Meritorious and Joint Service Commendation Medals. He is a recipient of both the Field Artillery’s Honorable Order of Saint Barbara and the Major General Robert A. McClure Award for PSYOP excellence.

Following his retirement in 2020 due to medical reasons, Colonel Curris transitioned into a new phase of leadership—one focused on training, mentorship, and veteran advocacy. He serves as:

• A senior leader, roleplayer, and mentor at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) and National Training Center (NTC),

• A close personal protection agent and private investigator, licensed through the NC Department of Public Safety

• An active contributor to immersive training environments that prepare U.S. forces for real-world engagement with foreign partners and coalition forces

Through his part-time work with organizations such as Valiant and Oak Grove, he continues to shape the leadership abilities of junior officers and senior NCOs in dynamic, complex scenarios.

Colonel Curris also devotes himself to community service, especially disaster relief and crisis intervention. As Operations Officer for Warrior Clan, a 501(c)(3) veteran service organization, he has helped coordinate aid efforts for:

• Hurricane Fred (North Carolina, 2021)

• Eastern Kentucky floods (2022)

• Hurricane Helene (2024–2025)

• Pikeville floods (2025)

He is a life member of VFW Post 5202, where he continues to engage in community response and relief operations. In addition to field operations, Colonel Curris volunteers his time as a guest speaker on leadership and military ethics at institutions such as Culver Military Academy, Purdue, UNC ROTC, and the Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg.

He and Bobbi, his wife of 30 years, are life members of the University of Arkansas Alumni Association, and they continue to represent the Razorback legacy with pride from their home in Waynesville, North Carolina.