LTC Craig A. Osborne

LTC Craig A. Osborne was commissioned as a Distinguished Military Graduate
and Infantry Officer from Illinois State University in 1989.

Upon completion of initial training at Fort Benning, GA, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division
as a Rifle Platoon Leader in 4th Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment.
He deployed to OPERATION DESERT SHIELD as a member of the lead task force in August of 1990
and subsequently served in OPERATION DESERT STORM. Upon redeployment,
he led Paratroopers in the battalion as the Support Platoon Leader and then the Scout Platoon Leader.

As a captain, LTC Osborne served on the Division G3 Training staff in the 1st Infantry Division
at Fort Riley, KS. Upon assignment to the Division’s 2nd Brigade, he served as an Assistant Brigade S3
and commanded a Bradley Company in 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment. He then assumed command
of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company of the battalion and deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina
as a member of OPERATION JOINT GUARD. After command, LTC Osborne was selected as the Aide-de-Camp
to the Deputy Commanding General of NATO Land Forces in Southeastern Europe
and lived with his family in Izmir, Turkey.

After graduating from the Command and General Staff College and School of Advanced Military Studies in 2001,
LTC Osborne served as the Battalion S3 in 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne
Division and deployed to Afghanistan as part of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. After the unit redeployed
to CONUS, he served as the G3, Chief of Operations for the Division and deployed to Iraq
as part of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. LTC Osborne then served as the Regimental Executive Officer
of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, and most recently served
as the Chief of the Division’s Modular Force Coordination Cell.

LTC Osborne’s military schools include the School of Advanced Military Studies,
the Command and General Staff College, the U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School,
the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course, the Armor Officer Advanced Course, and the Jumpmaster,
Pathfinder, and Ranger Schools. He has earned a Bachelors degree in History from Illinois State University;
a Masters degree in Adult, Occupational, and Continuing Education from Kansas State University;
and a Masters degree in Military Operations from the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters,
the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge
(Second Award), the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, the Senior Parachutist’s Badge,
the Pathfinder Badge, and the Ranger Tab.

LTC Osborne is married to the former Lois C. Gergeni of Decatur, IL
and they have three daughters – Heather, Emily, and Kristen. *

* Biography of Craig Osborne compiled at the time of his assignment
to command 1-22 Infantry.

Fantasy baseball

Posted: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 12:00 pm | Updated: 4:53 pm, Wed Aug 15, 2012

By Emily Baker

Fort Hood Herald

Lois Osborne knew her husband would need something to help him unwind when he returned from a year in Iraq,
so she turned to his boyhood dream of playing professional baseball.

Lt. Col. Craig Osborne had interest from the Cleveland Indians and the Detroit Tigers while he was a high school baseball player,
but he chose to join the Army instead of playing professionally a decision that has kept him deployed for most of the last five years,
including spending 2006 in Iraq as the commander of the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment,
1st Brigade Combat Team.

After Lois Osborne spent a month last year contacting 22 major league baseball teams for help, the Seattle Mariners agreed to allow
Craig Osborne to attend fantasy baseball camp for a slim price about $1,500 including airfare compared to the usual $3,800 plus airfare.

He spent the last days of his block leave playing baseball with the Mariners and returned from the camp in Peoria, Ariz., on Friday.

"That was the most fun in a single week I've ever had," Craig Osborne said Monday. "It was the best way to end block leave
I could have come up with. I spent some time with my family and visited the graves of our (more than a dozen) fallen soldiers
and got to know their families. The last week was innocent, pure fun... It capped off the last year."

Osborne and about 45 others were coached by, played with and played against retired and current professional baseball players
including Alvin Davis, Bill Caudill, Rick Rizzs, Gary Wheelock, Jay Buhner, Rich Amaral, Bob Stinson, Roy Thomas, Bill Krueger,
Dave Heaverlo, Chris Bosio, Julio Cruz and Spike Owen, according to the camp's Web site.

Osborne played shortstop and pitched for his team. He hit a home run, though he attributed that more
to his fast running than his hitting skills.

The fantasy-camp players received uniforms just like those worn by Mariners. Craig Osborne chose 22 as his number
for the 22nd Infantry Regiment.

Each day of the camp was filled with baseball either playing it or listening to players tell stories about it.

"He would call home every night," Lois Osborne said. "He just sounded like a kid on the phone:
'You'll never believe who I met and what I did today.'"

Craig Osborne has been playing baseball since he was 4 years old. He said his mother always said she couldn't remember a time
when he didn't have a ball in his hand. He met his wife of 20 years at a baseball game, and he always takes his baseball glove
with him when he deploys for a stress-relieving game of catch with other soldiers.

"There is something very therapeutic about baseball, leather, cut grass and stadiums," he said.

That common thread brought together the 45 attendees to the camp, who became good friends over the week, Osborne said.

"For the most part, it was a bunch of guys acting like kids again," he said.

Craig Osborne came home with an autographed bat, a collection of autographed baseballs and baseball cards and the daily newsletter
produced by the camp. He also received an autographed jersey from Jeffrey Leonard, who retired from the Mariners in 1990.

Each player gave a jersey to the most memorable player from the camp. Osborne received the jersey because people had discovered
throughout the week that he is a soldier just back from an Iraq deployment. He received the camp's inspirational award for the same reason.

"Everyone was very supportive," Osborne said about his being a soldier. "They were appreciative of soldiers and our collective effort."

Osborne has been invited to a reunion game this summer in Seattle, where the camp attendees will receive their own baseball cards
complete with photos and statistics from the camp. Osborne is not sure whether his schedule will allow him to attend,
but his family is looking forward to receiving his baseball cards.

His wife is delighted the trip did accomplished its goal.

"Of all the things in the world that I know would have helped him to unwind and have a little bit of fun, it had to be baseball,"
Lois Osborne said. "It was a long and tough year for him, and this just seemed like the ideal way for him to immerse himself
in something else. The players were so warm and welcoming of him. It was a really good thing."

From the kdhnews.com website

Lt. Col. Craig Osborne on patrol
on the western edge of Baghdad,
as Commander 1-22 Infantry
2005-2006.

Photo by

Tom Lasseter/MCT/MCT via Getty Images

COL Craig Osborne wearing his full dress uniform as Commander 174th Infantry Brigade, June 2012.
Note on his right lapel COL Osborne is wearing the DUI of the 22nd Infantry Regiment, showing his
official affiliation with the 22nd Infantry.

COL Craig A. Osborne was commissioned as an infantry officer and Distinguished Military Graduate of the ROTC program
at Illinois State University in 1989. Upon completion of initial training at Fort Benning, GA, he was assigned to Fort Bragg, NC
and the 82nd Airborne Division as a Rifle Platoon Leader in 4th Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment. He deployed to
Kuwait as a member of the lead task force as part of OPERATION DESERT SHIELD in August of 1990 and subsequently served
in Iraq as part of OPERATION DESERT STORM. Upon redeployment, he led Paratroopers as the battalion’s
Support Platoon Leader and then as the Scout Platoon Leader.

As a captain, COL Osborne served on the Division G3 Training staff of the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, KS. Upon assignment
to the division’s 2nd Brigade, he served as an Assistant S3 and then assumed command of D Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry
Regiment. He subsequently assumed command of the battalion’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company and deployed to
Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1997 as part of OPERATION JOINT GUARD. After completing company command, COL Osborne
was selected to serve as the Aide-de-Camp to the Deputy Commanding General of NATO Allied Land Forces in Southeastern Europe
and lived with his family in Izmir, Turkey.

After graduating from the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College and School of Advanced Military Studies, COL Osborne
returned to Fort Bragg, NC and served as the Battalion S3 in 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne
Division where he deployed to Afghanistan in 2002 as part of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. After the unit returned to the
United States, he assumed duties as the Division G3, Chief of Operations, and deployed to Iraq in that capacity in support of
OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM in 2003. Upon redeployment, COL Osborne served as the Regimental Executive Officer
of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, and then led the division’s Modular Force Coordination Cell.

COL Osborne assumed command of the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, TX in 2005
and deployed to Iraq again as part of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM – serving twelve months in Baghdad. Upon completing battalion
command, he was reassigned to the J3 section of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon and was subsequently selected to serve as the
Deputy Executive Assistant and then Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Most recently, COL Osborne
served as the Chief of Biometrics for coalition forces in Afghanistan and then as the Chief of Staff for Combined, Joint, and
Interagency Task Force 435 from 2010-2011 as part of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM.

COL Osborne’s military schools include the National War College, the Joint and Combined Warfighting School, the School of
Advanced Military Studies, the Command and General Staff Officer’s Course, the Combined Arms and Services Staff School,
the U.S. Marine Corps’ Amphibious Warfare School, the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course, the Armor Officer Advanced
Course, the Infantry Officer Basic Course, and the Jumpmaster, Airborne, Pathfinder, and Ranger Schools. He has earned a
Bachelors degree in History from Illinois State University; a Masters degree in Adult, Occupational, and Continuing Education
from Kansas State University; a Masters degree in Military Arts and Sciences from the U.S. Army Command and General
Staff College; a Masters degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College; and holds a Graduate Certificate
in Advanced International Affairs from the Bush School of Government at Texas A&M University.

COL Osborne’s awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal (with four Oak Leaf Clusters),
the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Joint Service Commendation Medal,
the Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), and the Army Achievement Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters). He has earned
the Combat Infantryman’s Badge (with Star), the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, the Senior Parachutist’s Badge, the Pathfinder Badge,
the Ranger Tab, and the Joint Staff Identification Badge. COL Osborne has been awarded the the General Douglas MacArthur
Leadership Award and received the Order of St. Maurice from the National Infantry Association and the Chief of Infantry, U.S. Army.

COL Osborne is married to the former Lois C. Gergeni of Decatur, IL and they have three daughters named Heather, Emily, and
Kristen; a son-in-law named Private First Class Bryar Dalrymple who serves with 2/9 Marines at Camp Lejeune, NC; and a
three-month old granddaughter named Abigail Christine Dalrymple. *

* Biography of Craig Osborne compiled at the time of his assignment as Commander 174th Infantry Brigade.

In 2012 Craig Osborne was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the College of Applied Science and Technology
at Illinois State University.

Colonel Craig Osborne (left) as Commander 174th Infantry Brigade, presents the Non-commisioned Officer's sword to
Command Sergeant Major Christopher Johnson during a Change of Responsibility ceremony at Sharp Field, Joint Base
McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst November 4, 2011.

Colonel Craig Osborne receives the Legion of Merit from Major General Jeffrey L. Bailey
during Change of Command ceremonies at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, December 6, 2013.

Colonel Craig Osborne commanded the 174th Infantry Brigade
from July 19, 2011 to December 6, 2013.

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. (2013) --Each level of command will always have a lesson learned.
For the outgoing commander of the 174th Infantry Brigade, Col. Craig A. Osborne, the Patriot command was about people.

"This assignment wasn't about tactics and procedures as much as it was about people," said Osborne. "I learned the most about people here,
what motivates individuals, and different leadership styles."

After 29-months in command Osborne handed the Patriot brigade reins over to incoming commander, Col. Michael E. Wawrzyniak, Dec 6,
during a traditional change of command ceremony.

"Change is good. It breathes new life into an organization," said Osborne during his final brigade town hall as commander of the 174th Infantry Brigade,
headquartered at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.

Hosted by Maj. Gen. Jeffrey L. Bailey, commander, First Army Division East, both Osborne and Wawrzyniak participated in the historic passing of the
brigade colors in front of more than 250 Patriot Soldiers in formation. The colors, or unit flag, represents the brigade. Its passing signifies the exchange
of trust and well-being of the command from one commander to another.

"In my assessment, this brigade has made significant progress over the last two years, and that is a testament to Col. Osborne's investment in leader development.
And moreover, his dedication to the training mission is the hallmark of his work and cornerstone of success here," expressed Bailey during his address to the crowd.

During Osborne's tenure more than 10,000 troops mobilized, trained, and deployed from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
in support on overseas contingency operations.

"My most significant achievement is that every one of the 10,144 mobilized service members trained here
since July 19, 2011, returned home safely," remarked Osborne.

The theme of Osborne's farewell speech, and essentially his time as Patriot brigade commander, was 'people.'

"It isn't the building, the guideons or colors -- it is the people that are the brigade," said Osborne. "And each of you is what makes our brigade --
our mission -- successful. It is you I will miss the most."

Osborne shared his command philosophy for mission success when he arrived in the summer of 2011. Depicted as a structure reminiscent of the Parthenon,
to him, mission success is built on a foundation of people and culture and from there stretch the pillars of leading, training, sustaining, and caring.

Osborne and his wife Lois are scheduled to report to their next assignment later this month in Stuttgart, Germany where Osborne will serve as
Chief of Plans for United States European Command.

In coordination with Joint Base and mission partners, 174th Infantry Brigade executes and certifies individual and collective training in accordance
with theater-specific standards at JB MDL, N.J., for designated service members to prepare them for deployment in support of overseas contingency operations.
On order, 174 supports Army Reserve and National Guard forces generate improved readiness within the Reserve component.