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1991 Polk Central graduate takes command of defense program

 

Polk Central Class of 1991 graduate Lieutenant Colonel Chad E. Raburn has recently taken over command of a top defense program of the United States Army. 

Lt. Col. Raburn  participated in a Change of Order ceremony in Huntsville, Ala., where he assumed the duties as head of THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense),  a program of the Missile Defense Agency of the Department of Defense. The THAAD program is designed to protect against short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles.

Lt. Col. Raburn has served in the United States Army since 1992. In 2005, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Armor Corps at the University of South Carolina. In addition, he holds a Master of Science degree in Project Management from Florida Institute of Technology. 

Lt. Col. Raburn’s military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Cluster), and various other awards and honors. Raburn has also earned the Combat Action Badge and Parachutist Badge. He was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Lt. Col. Raburn is the son of Bryson and Joyce Raburn of Boiling Springs, S.C. and the nephew of Garland and Terri Raburn of the Green Creek Community. He lives in Huntsville with his wife, Brandi and together they have three daughters and two sons.

 

Submitted by Mark Levin