LTC Benjamin Griffin

LTC Ben Griffin is the chief of the American History Division in the Department of History and War Studies.

He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 2006 and commissioned as a military intelligence officer. His first duty station was Fort Drum, NY where he served as the AS2 and S2 of 1-71 CAV 1 BCT 10th MTN Division. Ben deployed to Iraq with the unit from August 2008 to October 2009 in support of Operation Iraq Freedom. Following the Military Intelligence Captains Career Course, he went to Fort Hood joining 2nd BCT 1st Cavalry Division. Serving as the BDE AS2, he deployed to Iraq in May of 2010 in support of Operation New Dawn. Upon return from the deployment Ben took command of HHC, 2nd Special Troops Battalion. After going to the University of Texas for ACS, he served as an assistant professor in the Department of History at USMA for three years. Ben then attended CGSOC at Fort Leavenworth, KS and after completing the course moved to Fort Riley to join the 1st Infantry Division. He served as the S2 for the 1st Division Artillery, the division collection manager, and the deputy chief of staff. Following this, he enjoyed a second tour at USMA, this time as the Chief of the Military History Division in the History Department. Ben then commanded the 229th MI BN at the Defense Language Institute at the Presidio of Monterey.

His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, and Combat Action Badge. He holds a doctorate degree in history from the University of Texas, a master's degree in international security from the University of Arizona, and a bachelors degree in history from the United States Military Academy. He is the author of Reagan’s War Stories: A Cold War Presidency, published by the Naval Institute in 2022. Ben is currently working on a follow-up, Imagined World Orders: Tom Clancy and US National Security.