LTC Luke Bowers

Professor of Military Science and Military Science Department Chair

Lieutenant Colonel Luke Bowers graduated from Saint Cloud State University in central Minnesota and completed a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. After graduating, he enlisted in the US Army, serving for three and a half years as a Cavalry Scout (MOS 19D), including a deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-06, before attending Officer Candidate School and commissioning as a 2LT in the Armor branch. 

LTC Bowers completed his company grade time in a variety of operational assignments consisting of airborne, armored, and academic instruction. From 2009 to 2011, he served as an infantry platoon leader, company executive officer, and assistant operations officer in the 82D (Airborne). During this time, he deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom 09-10. From 2012 to 2014, he served with the 4th Infantry Division as a brigade staff officer (2ABCT, 4ID) and tank company commander (D/1-67 AR) while deployed to Operation Spartan Shield (Kuwait 2013-2014). From 2015 to 2017, he was a Fellow of the US Army’s Project Warrior Program and served as an Observer-Trainer/Controller at the JRTC in Fort Polk, LA and then a Small Group Instructor and Team Chief at the Maneuver Captains Career Course at Fort Benning.

Upon selection for promotion to Major, he attended Intermediate Level Education at the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, KS. Concurrently, he attended and completed a Master of Arts in Security Studies from Kansas State University – Go Cats! He remained at Leavenworth for an additional year to attend the School for Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) with research focused on conventional deterrence at the operational level. From 2020 to 2023, he served at the 1st Infantry Division in Fort Riley, KS, as a division maneuver planner, battalion operations officer (2-34 AR), and finally as a brigade executive officer (1ABCT, 1ID). During 2021-2022, he deployed to EUCOM in support of the Operation Atlantic Resolve. Most recently, LTC Bowers completed an assignment tour with the Joint Staff’s (JS J-7) Deployable Training Division.

LTC Bowers’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Combat Action Badge, Ranger Tab, Pathfinder Badge, Airborne and Air Assault Badges, and the Joint Staff Badge. He is also a recipient of the Order of Saint George and Order of Saint Maurice.

LTC Bowers is married to Amanda Bowers, of Ramsey, Minnesota, and they are blessed with four amazing children: Logan, Lillian, Makayla, and Johannah.