Ken Keen

Purl Kenneth Keen (born July 1952) is a retired United States Army officer. He last served as the commander of the Office of the Defense Representative, U.S. Embassy Pakistan and before that served as Military Deputy Commander of United States Southern Command.

Early life and education

Keen is a native of Hyden, Kentucky. He graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics. He later earned a Master of Arts in Latin American studies from the University of Florida. Keen also studied at the Brazilian Army Command and General Staff College and the United States Army War College.

Military career

An Infantry officer with 18 years on airborne status, Keen has commanded Light Airborne Infantry, Ranger, Special Forces, Military Group and Army Component units. His commands include a Special Forces Detachment (SCUBA) in 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group; Company and Battalion Commands in the 82nd Airborne Division; Command of 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment; Command of the 75th Ranger Regiment; Command of United States Military Group Bogota, Colombia; Command of United States Army South (USARSO); and Command of Joint Task Force Haiti – Operation Unified Response.

Keen participated in Operation Just Cause as the Assistant S3 of the 75th Ranger Regiment and was Commander, Ranger Task Force during Operation Desert Storm as part of Joint Special Operations Command.

From September 2007 to September 2009, he served as the Director of the United States European Command Plans and Operations Center and the EUCOM Chief of Staff.

Keen is now a professor and the Associate Dean of Leadership Development at Emory University's Goizueta School of Business in Atlanta, Georgia.

Awards and decorations

File:Combat Infantry Badge.svg Combat Infantryman Badge

File:Expert Infantry Badge.svg Expert Infantryman Badge

File:Master Parachutist badge (United States).svg  Master Parachutist Badge

File:Pathfinder.gif Pathfinder Badge

File:Ranger Tab.svg Ranger tab

File:SpecialForcesTabMetal.jpg Special Forces Tab

File:SFDiver.PNG Special Operations Diver Badge

File:No free image.png Brazilian Army Parachutist Badge

File:Seal of the United States Southern Command.svg United States Southern Command Identification Badge

File:75 Ranger Regiment SCSIB.png 75th Ranger Regiment Combat Service Identification Badge

File:75 Ranger Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia.svg 75th Ranger Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia

File:U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg Army Distinguished Service Medal

File:US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svgFile:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svgFile:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Defense Superior Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters

File:Legion of Merit ribbon.svgFile:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svgFile:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters

File:Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg Defense Meritorious Service Medal

File:Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svgFile:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svgFile:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters

File:Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg Army Commendation Medal

File:Army Achievement Medal ribbon.svg Army Achievement Medal

File:Joint Meritorious Unit Award ribbon.svgFile:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svgFile:Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Joint Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters

Bronze star File:National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star

File:Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

File:Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991-2016).svgFile:Bronze-service-star-3d.svgFile:Bronze-service-star-3d.svg Southwest Asia Service Medal with two campaign stars

File:Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

File:Humanitarian Service ribbon.svg Humanitarian Service Medal

File:Army Service Ribbon.svg Army Service Ribbon

File:Army Overseas Service Ribbon.svgFile:Award numeral 4.png Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 4

File:MFO Medal ribbon.png Multinational Force and Observers Medal

File:Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) ribbon.svg Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)

File:Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon.svg Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

External links

• U.S. Southern Command biography

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