Peter Kirkendall

LTC Peter Kirkendall is a Fellow of the United States Army War College Class of 2026. He received his commission as a Medical Service Corps Officer from the Virginia Military Institute in 2007. He is a graduate of the AMEDD Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Captains Career Course, the Medical Plans, Operations, Intelligence and Training Course, The Command and General Staff College, Airborne School, Jumpmaster School and Ranger School.

Prior to his arrival at Harvard University, he was assigned to the 62nd Medical Brigade, where he served as the Commander of the 147th Field Hospital. Previous non-command assignments include service as a Medical Platoon Leader, 1-509th Parachute Infantry Regiment; Brigade Medical Planner, 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division; Division Medical Planner, 10th Mountain Division; USARCENT Medical Planner; Medical Planner for the Joint Special Operations Command; Operations Officer for the 11th Field Hospital; and the 1st Medical Brigade S3.

His command assignments include: 20 months as Commander, C Company, 710th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY. Including 9 months in Command in Afghanistan; 20 months as the Commander of the 147th Field Hospital, 29th Hospital Center, 62nd Medical Brigade, Joint Base Lewis McChord. He has deployed on six occasions, to Afghanistan (12 months) twice to Iraq (12 months), twice to Djibouti (6 months), and to Kuwait (6 months) in support of Operation Inherent Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Lieutenant Colonel Kirkendall holds a Master of Administration with a concentration in Healthcare from Ohio University, and a Bachelors of Science in Biology from the Virginia Military Institute. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with 2 x OLC, the Meritorious Service Medal with 4 x OLC, the Army Commendation Medal with OLC, the OIF and OEF Campaign Medals, the Parachutist Badge, the Expert Field Medical Badge, the Combat Action Badge, and the Ranger Tab.

He is married to Kathryn Kirkendall of Forrest Grove, OR and they have one daughter, Emma (19 Months).