Col. Bob Barefield (USA Retired)

Veteran of the Year 2023, American Legion of Alabama
Elmer Harris Patriot of the Year 2023, Folds of Honor
Distinguished Citizen Award, Daughters of the American Revolution
Past Chair, Alabama National Cemetery Support Committee
Chair, Patriotism in Action (riderless horse for Veterans Day, Tribute to the Founder of Veterans Day…)
Trustee, Life Leaders Institute & Ranch (Compassion Ranch, Patriotism in Action, Life Leadership)
Loyalty Award, Life Leaders

Our dear friend Bob Barefield died December 22, 2023 at age 77 surrounded by his family.
Bob and Nancy were heroes for service to others, including our nonprofit for 20+ years.
His veteran brothers call Bob a great military man and Nancy a great military wife.
He was “Brother Bob” to me.
David

Col. Bob Barefield displaying the Patriotism in Action wreath and
representing the Support Committee of the Alabama National Cemetery at The American Village.

U.S. Military

Bob served his country with distinctions in the Army. Among his awards were the:

  • Purple Heart (5th Award)
  • Combat Infantryman Badge
  • Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguished Device “V” (4th Award)
  • Bronze Star Medal (3rd Award)
  • Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguished Device “V”
  • Legion of Merit
  • Meritorious Service Medal (7th Award)
Second from right Bob in Vietnam, 1st Cavalry unit

Tribute to the Founder of Veterans Day

Bob and Nancy organized the first Tribute to the Founder of Veterans Day, Raymond Weeks, sponsored by Patriotism in Action and National Veterans Day–and for 20 more years. America’s Veterans Day began in Birmingham, and this is the only such program in the USA. Honorees participating included Lt. General Hal Moore, The Tuskegee Airmen, and many more, along with the Weeks Family.

Education & Training

  • Master of Public Administration, University of Missouri-Kansas City
  • Bachelor of Science, Murray State University
  • United States Army Advanced Operational Studies War College Fellowship
  • Senior Military Leadership Training, Washington, DC
  • Life Leaders/Personal Leadership Association seminars 2001-2017
Past Chair, Alabama National Cemetery Support Committee
Veteran of the Year American Legion of Alabama


Leadership & Service

  • Chairman, Patriotism in Action (with Nancy)
  • Chairman, Support Committee of the Alabama National Cemetery
  • Chairman, Personal Leadership Association (now Life Leaders Institute and Ranch)
  • CEO, 5,000 person Training and Leadership organization for 4-state area
  • Director of Plans, XVIII Airborne Corps responsible for worldwide contingency plans (Planned and executed humanitarian relief mission for Hurricane Andrew in 1992)
  • Director, Advanced Operational Studies Fellowship directing Master’s program for multi-service senior officers
  • Inspector General, US Forces Panama, including Central and South America
  • Class Leader, United States Army Infantry Officer Advanced Course/Sponsor to Prince Faisal of Saudi Arabia
  • Commander and Key Staff level positions, 30 years stateside and overseas with United States Army (Retired as Colonel 1998)
  • Former Senior Business Analyst, International Profit Associates, counseling for over 100 companies
  • Vice President/Executive Career Advisor, Career Concepts, Inc. assisting over 600 professionals with career direction (retired 2006)
  • Past President, Homeowners Association for tri-neighborhood

Riderless Horse

Hank the Tank and Bob at Compassion Ranch practicing & staying in shape for the Veterans Day Parade.

Bob and Nancy helped us adopt Hank and Lincoln from The Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery with a donation to help pay transport expenses plus drove me to Tennessee to meet our transport team. Bob supported our efforts to get regulation tack for a riderless horse and he coordinated Hank and me walking in the parade with him and the Wreaths Across America float. Bob led the beginning of the tradition of a riderless (caparison) horse in the National Veterans Day Parade in 2006. David
Col. and Mrs. Bob Barefield at a National Veterans Day Banquet.
People who know them call Bob a great military man and veteran and Nancy a model military wife.

Author & Trainer

  • Instructor, United States Army Ranger School
  • Primary author, FM 25-101 Battle Focused Training for all United States Army units
  • Co-author, “Many Job Skills Cannot Be Offshored,” and other career management documents
  • Briefed Active, Reserve, and National Guard Commanding Generals on implementing FM 25-101
  • Planned, coordinated and supervised the Chief of Staff Army Senior Leadership Training Conference for all 4-Star Commanders
  • 100+ Professional seminars:
    • Developed and supervised leadership training for 18,000 cadets
    • Career Management Process
    • Networking Made Easy
    • Walk the Walk-Talk the Talk (Career Techniques)
    • WIN-WIN (Workplace Strategy)
    • The Next Step (Career Advancement)

Personal Leadership for Patriots

Bob, left, directed Personal Leadership for Patriots from 2001-2017

Achievements & Accomplishments

  • Distinguished Graduate, United States Army Rotary Wing Flight School
  • Honor Graduate, United States Army Command and General Staff College
  • Honor Graduate, United States Army Infantry Officer Advanced Course
  • Awarded Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Army Aviation Wings, Master Parachutist Badge, and Pathfinder Badge
  • Decorations: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguished Device “V” (4th Award), Purple Heart (5th Award), Meritorious Service Medal (7th Award), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguished Device “V”

We will miss our friend though
remember inspiration for his leadership and service to others.

Bob left a legacy. You can learn more or take action to keep it advancing.

www.PatriotismInAction.us / www.VeteransDayFoundingEducation.us / www.CompassionRanch.org

www.scalnc.org

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