Colonel (COL) Nathaniel McGee:
COL McGee is a native Arkansan. He is a graduate of William R. Golden High School in Turrell, Arkansas and received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Arkansas A. M. & N. College, Pine Bluff, (UAPB) with a Major in Chemistry and Biology and a Minor in Mathematics. His graduate degree was received at the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania in 1997.
He began his Military Service by enlisting in the Arkansas Army National Guard in July 1971, at Brinkley as an E-1 and upon completing Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina was promoted to Specialist Fourth Class (SPC-4). Shortly after returning from basic training, he enrolled in the Non-Commissioned Officer’s Academy for Reserve Components at Fort Walters, Texas and in 1973, was promoted to Sergeant.
In May 1974, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant (E-6) and enrolled in the Arkansas Military Academy at Camp Joseph T. Robinson, North Little Rock, and after completing a 1- year Officer Candidate School was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant (2LT) in the Arkansas Army National Guard. COL McGee has completed such Military courses as the: Field Artillery Officers Basic Course, Communication Security School, Operations Training & Readiness Specialist Course, Special Staff Officers Refresher Courses, Towed Field Artillery Battalion Refresher Courses, Cannon Field Artillery Officer Refresher Course, FORSCOM/TRADOC BTMS Course, Administrative Officer Course, Company Size Unit Commanders Course, Field Artillery Officer Advance Course, Organizational Maintenance Officer Course, Military Intelligence Officers Advanced Course, Battalion Training Management Courses, Command & General Staff College, Joint Fire Power Control Courses, Senior Officer Logistics Management Courses, and Ordnance Officer Advanced Courses. Since War College, Col McGee has graduated from the Senior Executive Development Course and the Garrison Commander Pre-Command course at Fort. Belvoir, Virginia.
Since receiving his commission, he has served in such positions as: Platoon Leader [both Field Artillery and Infantry], Forward Observer, Air Observer, Target Acquisition Platoon Leader, Air Defense Section Leader, Battery Commander, S-1, S-2, S-4, Motor Officer, Detachment Commander, Executive Officer, Maintenance Officer, Training Officer, Administrative Officer, Director of Maintenance, and Command Logistics Officer. While serving as the Director of Logistics for the State, LTC McGee completed a very successful 2-year tour as Battalion Commander, 5th Battalion, 1-206th Field Artillery Battalion. He served as Post/Garrison Commander, Robinson Maneuver Training Area, Camp Joseph T. Robinson, for 5-years [he held a total of four commands] and was last assigned as the Deputy Chief of Staff Logistics for the Arkansas Army National Guard.
COL McGee received his promotion to Colonel on November 2, 1995. As a result of his promotion, COL McGee became the first African American to be promoted to Colonel in the history of the Arkansas Army National Guard. In April 1997, he was assigned as the Commander of the Camp Robinson Maneuver Training Area. COL McGee was the first African American in the history of the Arkansas Army National Guard to Command at Brigade level.
COL McGee is the recipient of several awards, medals and decorations ranging from the Armed Forces Achievement Medal to the Army Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters. His civilian education includes: graduate of OSHA Training and Certification – Fort Rucker, Alabama, Advance Executive Management Institute [Computer Literacy] – Dallas, Texas, Evaluation and Reporting Internal Controls – U.S. Department of Agriculture, Executive Management Institute for New Managers – Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Role of Supervisors and Management in EEO Training-Dallas, Applied Labor Management, Supervision and Group Performance, Executive Management Computer Literacy Course, Middle Management Institute, Staff Management Institute – Denver, Colorado., Senior Level Management Course, NGB-JA Fiscal Law Course – St Louis, Missouri, Senior Leader Equal Opportunity, Training (DEOMI), USDA’s Graduate School, Building High Performing Teams, Advanced Management Seminar, APIC Course, Baldrige Self-Assessment and Continuous Improvement Workshops.
He is active in his community, serving on several Boards (Greater Little Rock UAPB/AM&N Alumni Chapter, Church, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity) the Governor’s Yellow Ribbon Task Force and currently enjoys retirement.
COL McGee retired on June 30, 2005, with over 34 years of military service.