Colonel Van Fleet is a Senior Reserve Component Researcher at the Army War College Strategic Studies Institute. He received his commission as a Transportation Officer from the Illinois National Guard Officer Candidate Course in 1998. He is a graduate of the Transportation Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Command and General Staff College, and The Inspector General Basic and Advanced Courses.
Prior to his arrival at United States Army War College Strategic Studies Institute, he was an Army War College Fellow at the University of Pittsburgh. Previous non-command assignments include service as Platoon Leader at the 1244th Transportation Company in North Riverside, Illinois, and 369th Transportation Company in Wichita, Kansas where he deployed to Iraq in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; Logistics Staff Officer at the 89th Regional Readiness Command in Wichita, Kansas; Assistant Professor of Military Science at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Assistant S-3, at 1st BDE, 94th Training Division in Charleston, West Virginia; Executive Officer at 1st Battalion, 364th Regiment in Joint Base Lewis McChord, WA; Inspector General at 9th Mission Support Command in Ft. Shafter Flats, Hawaii; and U.S. Transportation Command Joint Mobility Officer at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
His command assignments include: 36 months as Commander, 425th TC CO (POL), 821st TC BN, 561st RSG, 103rd ESC, where he deployed to Afghanistan in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Colonel Van Fleet holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Colorado Technical University, and Bachelor of Science (Finance) degree from Western Illinois University. His personal awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with 1 OLC, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with 1 OLC, the Army Commendation Medal with 2 OLC, the Army Achievement Medal with 1 OLC, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M device, the OIF Campaign Medal, the OEF Campaign Medal, the Combat Action Badge, and Inspector General Badge.