Alumni Relations Founder

Col. Kevin M. Rice O n December 01, 2000, Colonel Rice became the Commandant of the Defense Language Institute (DLI), and Commander of the Presidio of Monterey, and Ord Military Community. Immediately prior, COL Rice had served as the U.S. Army Attaché to the People's Republic of China from November 1997 to November 2000. He is a graduate of the Chinese language program at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, and also of the British Ministry of Defense Chinese Language School in Hong Kong.

Colonel Rice was born in Henderson, Nevada, and grew up there and in La Mirada, California. He is a 1973 graduate of West Point, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree and was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Infantry. He began his career as a mechanized rifle platoon leader in the 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division. He served in the 15th, 21st, 31st, and 50th Infantry Regiments, and commanded the 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry. His assignments include mechanized infantry, light infantry, and airborne special operations units. He has been stationed overseas in Germany, Korea, Hong Kong, and China.

Colonel Rice served in the 4th Psychological Operations Group and at Headquarters, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). At TRADOC, he was the program manager for bilateral training talks between the Chinese People's Liberation Army and the U.S. Army and staff talks between the U.S. Army and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force. Further, he served as Deputy G3, 25th Infantry Division (Light); Executive Officer, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry; Executive Officer, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Light); and Deputy Brigade Commander, Infantry Training Brigade, Fort Benning.

Colonel Rice's military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Command and General Staff College, and the National War College.

He is a graduate of Airborne, Ranger, Air Assault, and Foreign Area Officer Schools. He holds a Master of Arts Degree in East Asian Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Master of Science Degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College. His military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (two awards), Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal (three awards) and the Overseas Service Ribbon (4 awards).