Colonel (COL) Alex Finger:

COL Finger was born October 28, 1958, in Palestine, Arkansas, and graduated from Palestine High School in 1976. He received an Associate Degree in Psychology from UALR in 1983, a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with minor in Sociology in 1984, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Human Resource Development in 1997 from Webster University.

COL Finger began his military career on active duty in 1976, when he enlisted with D Battery, 6-68th Field Artillery as a Crewman. He served in the 6-68th Field Artillery for three years as a 13B Section Chief. He later joined the Arkansas Army National Guard in October 1988, and enlisted in Company A, 39th Support Battalion, 39th Infantry Brigade. COL Finger entered the Arkansas Military Academy Officer Candidate School in 1988. He was commissioned as an Engineer Officer in 1989.

COL Finger served in various military assignments such as Unit Engineer Officer, Unit Physical Security Officer, Company Commander, Communication Electronic Operations Officer, Operations and Training Officer, Facility Maintenance Officer, Detailed Inspector General for the Arkansas National Guard, Commander, 2nd Battalion, 233rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute; Deputy Commander, 233rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute; Joint Force Headquarters Arkansas G4 and Deputy Chief of Staff, Engineers. Additionally, COL Finger served as Brigade Commander, 87th Troop Command from June 10, 2012, to July 31, 2014. He later served as Regiment Commander, 233rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute from March 1, 2016, to July 25, 2017. COL Finger was the first African American to serve as the Brigade Commander, 87th Troop Command and the Regiment Commander, 233rd Regiment, RTI.

COL Finger’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Arkansas Service Ribbon.

His military education includes the 21D, Combat Engineers Officer Basic Course, 95B, Military Police Advanced Course, Commander’s Course, Military Criminal Investigation Course, Physical Security Officer Course, Unit Environmental Compliance Officer Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff College, and the Command and General Staff College.

COL Finger also retired from the Arkansas State Police with over 36 years of service. He worked in several divisions within the Arkansas State Police such as Highway Patrol Division, Criminal Investigation Division, Administrative Services Division, and he served as the Highway Patrol Commander for Troop A, which includes Pulaski, Faulkner, Saline, and Lonoke Counties.

COL Finger retired from the Arkansas National Guard with over 33 years of distinguished military service.