LTC Don D. Sheppard
LTC Don Sheppard has served as the Professor of Military Science at UCLA since July 2023. He was born and raised in Alexandria, Louisiana. After graduating from High School in 2001, LTC Sheppard attended Louisiana Tech University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems. He commissioned as a 2LT in late Fall of 2005, followed by attendance at Military Intelligence (MI) Officer Basic Course (OBC), Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
Upon graduation from OBC, LTC Sheppard was assigned to the 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion at Fort Carson, Colorado where he served as the Senior Intelligence Officer for a period of 24 months. This assignment encompassed a 15 month deployment ISO surge operations for Operation Iraqi Freedom (Baghdad, Iraq). After returning from the deployment ISO OIF, LTC Sheppard was assigned as the Senior Intelligence Officer for 2-12 Inf BN, 4th ID (TF Mountain Warrior) serving 24 months including a 13 month deployment ISO Operation Enduring Freedom (Kunar, Afghanistan).
Following redeployment from Afghanistan, LTC Sheppard attended the Captain’s Career Course at Fort Huachuca, Arizona in 2011. Upon completion, he was assigned to 470th MI Brigade from 2011-2016. While assigned there, he served as a three time company commander as well as a Deputy Division Chief for National Security Agency – Texas.
After completion of his duties in the 470th MI BDE, LTC Sheppard attended the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) from 2016-2017 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. While there, he obtained a Master of Arts in Business Organizational Security Management through Webster University.
Upon completion of CGSC, LTC Sheppard was once again assigned to the Intelligence Center of Excellence at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. He served on the Commanding General’s staff as the Deputy G3 followed by a 12 month stint as a Battalion Operations Officer (S3) for the 111th MI BDE, 309th MI Battalion. After completing his key developmental job as the BN S3 for the 309th MI BN, LTC Sheppard was hand selected to deploy to Kabul, Afghanistan where he served as the Executive Officer for the U.S Forces Afghanistan J2 ISO Resolute Support from 2019-2020.
After redeployment, LTC Sheppard was assigned to Army Human Resources Command from 2020-2023. Positions held included MI Major Career Manager and Operations Support Division Executive Officer.
His awards and decorations include the following over a 17 year career: Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), Army Commendation Award (2OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2OLC), Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Services Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2 stars), Iraqi Campaign Medal (1 star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, and the German Armed Proficiency Badge (Gold).
