CPT Joseph C. Bennett began his military career 8 January 1999 as an Air Force Reservist. That same year, he graduated from Air Force Basic Military Training, and Services Technical Schools at Lackland Air Force Base, TX. He was assigned to the 419th Fighter Wing, Hill Field, UT. He took a two-year break in service to serve a two-year mission on the Navajo Nation in Northern New Mexico and Arizona. Upon returning to 419th Fighter Wing, he was activated to support troop movement into Afghanistan. While a Reservist he worked on his education earning two Associates of Arts degrees for Pre-Law, and Political Science from the College of Southern Idaho. In 2004, he joined the Idaho State University Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), and commissioned in 2006 after receiving a Bachelorette of Science degree in Political Science. He served for three months as a Battle Captain at the ROTC Leaders Training Course Ft. Knox, KY, and completed his officer training by graduation from the Basic Officer Leaders Course II at Ft. Sill, OK, and the Adjutant General Basic Officer Leaders Course III at Ft. Jackson, SC.

CPT Bennett’s Adjutant General assignments include: the Battalion Adjutant for the 242nd Ordnance Battalion (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) from February 2007-November 2009. The 242nd ORD BN (EOD) deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 28 Feb 2008- 4 March 2008 as a Joint Command responsible for all Explosive Ordnance Disposal operations in Theater.

Following this assignment CPT Bennett attended and graduated from the Adjutant Generals Captain Carrier Course Ft. Jackson, SC.

CPT Bennett’s awards include the Joint Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and the Parachutist’s Badge.