COLONEL Noel Thomas Nicolle
Colonel Noel T. Nicolle holds a Bachelor's Degree in History from Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, Louisiana, and a Master's Degree in History from Louisiana State University. He was commissioned in 1984 and entered active duty in the Army in 1986 following an educational delay to attend Graduate School.
Colonel Nicolle's military service began with the 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, Hanau, Germany, from 1986-1989. Positions held include Battalion Ammunition Officer, Firing Platoon Leader, Battery Executive Officer, and Battalion Motor Officer. During Operation Desert Storm, LTC Nicolle served as the Squadron Fire Support Officer for 4th Squadron, 7th United States Cavalry, 3rd Armored Division. Following Operation Desert Storm, LTC Nicolle commanded Bravo Battery, 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment (MLRS) from 1993 to 1994. From 1994 to 1997, he was assigned to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, where he served as a Firing Battery Combat Trainer and Mechanized Battalion Task Force Fire Support Trainer.
Following an assignment to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, as a Small Group Instructor at the Field Artillery School, he attended Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. In 2000, he was assigned to 3d Brigade, 3d Infantry Division at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he served as the Operations Officer for 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery and 3rd Brigade Fire Support Officer. Follow on assignments in the 3d ID include Division Artillery Operations Officer during Operation Iraqi Freedom and 3d ID Deputy Fire Support Coordinator during 2004. In 2005, Colonel Nicolle assumed the duties of the Division Rear Detachment Commander which he held until he assumed command of 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery in June of 2006.
During OIF V, Colonel Nicolle and his battalion served in Al Anbar Province with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3d ID. While in Ar Ramadi, the battalion provided both lethal and non-lethal fires to coalition forces across Central Anbar. Additionally, COL Nicolle served as the 1st Brigade's Iraqi Police Coordinator/Advisor where his battalion trained, organized, and equipped over 9,000 Iraqi Police in the Ar Ramadi area.
Colonel Nicolle graduated with a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, in 2009 and until recently was assigned as the Director of Training and Doctrine Development for the U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Combat Action Badge.