Joseph Blume

CPT Joseph Blume, University of Southern Maine OIC, was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina.  He completed Basic Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma as part of the Simultaneous Membership Program while studying at the University of South Carolina from May 2006 to July 2006.  He served as a Cadet in the US Army Reserve for 3^rd Battalion, 321^st Infantry Regiment (TS), 108^th Division from August 2006 to December 2006 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.  From December 2006 to May 2008, he was assigned to the Individual Ready Reserve and graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts in History and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the South Carolina National Guard.

In May 2008, he was assigned as Fire Direction Officer with 1^st Battalion, 178^th Field Artillery Regiment.  He then attended FABOLC at Fort Sill, Oklahoma from October 2008 to April 2009.  After completing FABOLC, he was then assigned as Fire Direction Officer to Bravo Battery, 2^nd Battalion, 320^th Field Artillery Regiment, 1^st Brigade, 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky from April 2009 to January 2010 after which, he was reassigned as Platoon Leader for Bravo Battery. 

In April 2010, he deployed with Bravo Battery in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 10-11, to provide fire support to Alpha Company, 2^nd Battalion, 327^th Infantry Regiment, Task Force No Slack at Combat Outpost Monti, Kunar Province, Afghanistan.  In October 2010, he was reassigned as Fire Support Officer and Headquarters Platoon Leader to Alpha Company, Task Force No Slack, continuing to plan and provide fire support to the Alpha Company “Gators.”  

In May 2011, he redeployed to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, continuing his duties as FSO and HQ PL until December 2011 when he was reassigned as Assistant Battalion Effects Coordinator for the No Slack Battalion from December 2011 to April 2012.  Following his release from Active Duty in April 2012, CPT Blume came to the University of Southern Maine to work as the program OIC and also the primary instructor for the freshman class.  CPT Blume is also currently assigned as Commander for Alpha Battery, 1^st Battalion, 101^st Field Artillery Regiment of the Massachusetts National Guard. 

His awards and decorations include the Combat Action Badge, Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Airborne Badge, Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with “V” device, Army Commendation Medal (2^nd Award), Army Achievement Medal (2^nd Award), Afghanistan Campaign Medal with bronze star device, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" device and NATO (ISAF) Service Medal.  CPT Blume is married to Kelsey Blume and they have one dog named Squibby.