Introducing Colonel Tom Pickle, MMA’s New Deputy Commandant for Residential Life

Colonel Tom Pickle, USA (Ret), has joined the staff of Missouri Military Academy (MMA) as the deputy commandant for residential life. Pickle comes to the private, college preparatory, all-boys military boarding school after a 32-year career in the United States Army. Throughout his career, he has exhibited exceptional leadership, planning, program management, and talent management, making significant contributions to the military.

As the deputy commandant for residential life, Pickle will oversee the health, welfare, safety and security of all cadets, ensuring the quality of cadet life and a healthy living environment at MMA. He will support the office of the commandant through the supervision of the company leadership advisors in all aspects of residential and cadet life, leader development and life skills training. He will work with cadets, their parents, guardians, faculty and Academy staff.

“COL Pickle’s broad leadership experience will well serve our cadets, faculty and staff, and I look forward to MMA benefitting from both his leadership and experience as he helps guide our corps of cadets,” said MMA President Richard V. Geraci, USA (Ret). “His impressive military background is a significant addition to the Academy’s leadership team. With Tom’s family ties to the Academy, he understands and is committed to MMA’s mission, military educational model, core values and upholding our standards for each cadet’s success.”

Pickle is the son of Tom Pickle Sr., MMA Class of 1958.

“As the son of an MMA alumnus and the father of two sons, it is my duty and privilege to care for and mentor your sons as I do for my own and as my father did for me,” Pickle says. “When I retired from the Army, I wanted to give back to MMA and the cadets in the same positive manner as my dad did. Our family was instilled with the values espoused by this Academy, and I look forward to sharing those same values with our cadets and their families.”

COL Pickle has 32 years of extensive experience in tactical, operational and strategic leadership across diverse and complex organizations. As a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran, he has demonstrated proficiency in leading, training and developing military personnel and managing limited resources efficiently at every rank up to Colonel (O-6). He is a Joint Qualified Officer and was a Theater Exercise Planner in J37, US Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii. His international experience includes planning, training and executing a wide array of operations in regions including Iraq, Egypt, Kuwait, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and Indonesia.

His awards include Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Armed Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Multinational Force and Observers Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Achievement, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Staff Identification Badge, Secretary of Defense Staff Identification Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Pathfinder Badge and the Order of Saint Maurice (Centurion).

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in history/philosophy from the University of Central Arkansas, a Master of Business Administration from Trident University International and a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Pickle enjoys duck hunting and cheering on the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Kansas City Chiefs. He and his wife Betsy have two sons, ages 8 and 9.