Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Willie Chapple:
LTC Chapple was born in Cotton Plant, Arkansas. He graduated from Cotton Plant High School in 1989. LTC Chapple has several degrees including a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He has a Master of Arts Degree in Human Resources Development, and a Master of Arts Degree in Computer Resources and Information Management from Webster University.
His military career started by enlisting in the Arkansas Army National Guard in 1989. He served as an Indirect Fire Infantryman (11C) with the 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry in Brinkley, Arkansas. He served with the 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry as a 4.2 Mortar Chief Ballistic Operator and later as a Motor Transport Operator. LTC Chapple attended the Arkansas Military Academy Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a Signal Corps Officer in 1997.
LTC Chapple served in various military command and leadership assignments throughout his career in the Arkansas Army National Guard, to include Deputy Chief of Staff Information Management Support Branch-Division Chief, Knowledge Manager – Information Management Support Branch, and Professor of Military Science, Henderson State University. On July 7, 2012, LTC Chapple became the first African American to serve as the Commander for the Sniper and Small Arms School at the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center Commander in the history of the Arkansas Army National Guard.
LTC Chapple’s other military assignments included Deputy Commander, 61st Civil Support Team (CST), Operations Officer 61st CST, Nuclear Biological and Chemical (NBC) Team Leader, 61st CST, Communications-Electronics Officer, 212th Signal Battalion and Commander, Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 212th Signal Battalion. On January 1, 2001, LTC Chapple was assigned as Aide-de-Camp for the Assistant Adjutant General – Army. He was the first African American to serve as the Aide-de-Camp to the Assistant Adjutant General-Army.
LTC Chapple served as a Platoon Leader at D Company, 212th Signal Battalion and Platoon Leader at C Company, 212th Signal Battalion. In 1992, he deployed to Honduras with the 39th Infantry Brigade and later deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom to Afghanistan from 2010-2011.
LTC Chapple’s military education and certifications includes the Signal Officer Basic Course, Signal Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms Services Staff School, the Command and General Staff College, Department of Defense Cyber Awareness Course, Level 1 Antiterrorism Awareness Training, Army National Guard Information Technology Project Management Course, Army National Guard System Center Configuration Managers Course, Knowledge Management Qualifications Course and the Network+ and Security+ Information Assurance Certifications Course.
For his outstanding and distinctive military service, LTC Chapple received awards and commendations to include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ M Device, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Medal, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, NATO Medal, Arkansas Federal Service Ribbon, Arkansas Service Ribbon, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation.
LTC Chapple retired on November 26, 2018, with over 29 years of distinctive military service. He and his family currently reside in Little Rock. He is a life member of the National Guard Association of Arkansas, National Guard Association of United States, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated and the Signal Corps Regimental Association. LTC Chapple is the owner of Will’s Enterprise, LLC., where he specializes in Computer/Cell Phone repair, Bounce House Rentals, and Real Estate Investing. He is a Real Estate Agent, and he owns WE Care Contracting LLC where he builds and remodels houses.