COL Kevin Golinghorst

Colonel Kevin R. Golinghorst assumed duties as the 53rd Commander of the St. Louis District after serving as the Army Capability Manager – Geospatial (ACM-Geo) at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.

Golinghorst grew up on a family farm near Walcott, Iowa and was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers through the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, N.Y., in 1996. He now leads a civilian and military workforce of nearly 750 personnel in executing the diverse mission of providing civil works and interagency support along the Mississippi River in Missouri and Illinois.

He has served in numerous command and staff assignments. Golinghorst commanded the 554th Engineer Battalion and served as the Deputy Commanding Officer (DCO) of the 1st Engineer Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He served as the Deputy XO (Plans) for the Commander of ISAF (COMISAF) in Kabul, Afghanistan. Golinghorst served as the Operations (S3) and Executive Officer (XO) for the 169th Engineer Battalion at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He served as a Strategic Planner in the J5 Plans section of the United States Forces – Afghanistan (USFOR-A) headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan. Golinghorst was an Instructor and Branch Chief within the College for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) at Fort Belvoir, Va. He commanded the 73rd Engineer Company at Fort Lewis, Wash., and deployed the unit to Mosul, Iraq. He was the Battalion Maintenance Officer (BMO) and Adjutant/S-1 of the 65th Engineer Battalion at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Golinghorst was Aide-de-Camp to the Commander of the Pacific Ocean Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He began his career as the Sapper Platoon Leader for 3/B/65th Engineer Battalion.

Golinghorst earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering at West Point, N.Y.; a Masters in Defense Geographic Information (DGI) in England; a Master of Military Arts & Science (MMAS) degree at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; and a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies at Newport, R.I. His military education includes the Naval War College, Army Intermediate Level Education (ILE), Combined Arms and Staff Services School (CAS3), and the Engineer Officer Advanced and Basic Courses.

His decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NATO Service Medal, Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, the Sapper Tab, and the Bronze de Fleury Medal.

Golinghorst is married to the former Julie Gill and they have two children, Gabe and Ariel.