Colonel Cory J Plowden received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology from Lander University and was commissioned into the Medical Service Corps as a Distinguished Military Graduate in 1999. He is currently assigned as the Deputy Commander, 68th Theater Medical Command, Sembach, Germany.
Colonel Plowden’s service began with the 25th Infantry Division (Light) at Schofield Barracks, HI. His jobs included: Medical Platoon Leader, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Infantry/14th Regiment; Treatment Platoon Leader and Executive Officer, Charlie Company, 325th Forward Support Battalion; and Combat Health Support Officer, Headquarters and Alpha Company, 325th Forward Support Battalion. After completion of the Combined Logistics Advanced Course (CLC3), he commanded Charlie Company, 101st Forward Support Battalion, 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Riley, KS. Following command, he served as the Senior Medical Observer/Controller/Trainer (Goldminer Team) at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, CA, before serving as an instructor for the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Officers Basic Course (OBC), Fort Sam Houston, TX. His follow-on assignment was at Fort Cavasos, TX, where he served as Operations Officer, 61st Multifunctional Medical Battalion and as the Plans Officer, 1st Medical Brigade. After completion of Intermediate Level Education/Advance Operations Course (ILE/AOC) at Fort Leavenworth, KS, Colonel Plowden served as Executive Officer and then interim commander for 28th Combat Support Hospital, 44th Medical Bridge, Fort Liberty, NC. His next assignment was at the Pentagon where he served as the Medical Plans Officer on the Joint Staff before returning to Fort Irwin, CA to serve as the Deputy Commander for Administration and Chief of Staff of Weed Army Community Hospital. Colonel Plowden then commanded the 232d Medical Battalion, 32d Medical Bridge, Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, TX before completing an Army War College Fellowship with the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. He was then assigned to Army Futures Command as the Medical Modernization Chief. His most previous assignment was Commander and Director of Desmond T. Doss Health Clinic, Schofield Barracks, HI. He has three operational deployments, two in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and one in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Colonel Plowden holds a Masters in Healthcare Administration from Webster University and his military schooling includes: AMEDD OBC, CLC3, Combined Arms and Services Staff School (CAS3), ILE/OAC, Army War College Fellow, Support Operations Course (Phase I and II), AMEDD Plans, Operations, Intelligence, Training and Security (70H) Course, Instructor Training Course, Joint Planner’s Course, Joint Medical Operations Course, AMEDD Executive Skills Course, Airborne School, Air Assault School and Pathfinder School.
Colonel Plowden has earned the Expert Field Medical Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, and the Joint Staff Identification Badge. His military award include: Bronze Star (1 OLC), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Citation, Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (1 OLC), Iraqi Campaign Medal (3 Bronze Stars), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (1 Bronze Star), Overseas Service Ribbon (numeral 3), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, NATO medal. He is a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit and has earned the 9A Proficiency Designator.