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“TRIBUTE TO COLONEL DAVID W. TROTTER” mentioning Joni Ernst was published in the Senate section on page S4620 on June 17.
Of the 100 senators in 117th Congress, 24 percent were women, and 76 percent were men, according to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
Senators' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO COLONEL DAVID W. TROTTER
Ms. ERNST. Madam President, as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I rise to pay tribute to COL David W. Trotter, who has selflessly served our great country as a U.S. Army intelligence officer. He is a fellow alumnus of the Iowa State University Cyclone Battalion and a dear friend of mine.
Colonel Trotter will retire on November 30, 2021, after a successful 30-year military career as an accomplished leader, infantry, and intelligence officer. Dave's leadership abilities were evident early on. I met Dave early in my days at Iowa State, where he served as a personal mentor and driving factor to my own service to this great Nation. From those early days, he grew even more as a leader and soldier, ultimately completing a storied career at home and abroad, in peace and in war. It is fitting that we recognize his service to this great Nation.
Colonel Trotter was commissioned in 1992 upon graduating from Iowa State University as a distinguished military graduate with a bachelor in business. Dave served as an infantry platoon leader in Korea and a company executive officer at Fort Carson, CO. He then was selected as a company commander for 18 months with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment in Fort Lewis, WA. After command, he served as an operations officer for the Des Moines, IA, Recruiting Battalion before being selected for the prestigious 75th Ranger Regiment.
Upon arrival at the 75th Ranger Regiment in Fort Benning, GA, Dave served as an assistant intelligence officer. He then was selected again for command, where he served as the military intelligence detachment commander. Throughout his time in the 75th Ranger Regiment, Dave deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
As a field-grade officer, Dave served as an operations officer in the XVIII Airborne Corps, G2 section at Fort Bragg, NC. He then served as an operations officer and executive officer within the 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, where he also deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He then served again as an operations officer for the Intelligence and Security Command at Fort Belvoir, VA, before being selected for command of the Army Geospatial Intelligence Battalion at Springfield, VA.
After various staff positions, Dave served as the chief of staff, Afghanistan Ministry of Interior Advisory Group, where he deployed again to Afghanistan in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Freedom Sentinel. After a brief year on staff at Fort Huachuca, AZ, Dave deployed again in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, where he served as the III Corps G2. After redeployment, he was chosen to serve as the Army North senior intelligence officer. He then would transfer once more to Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, TX, where he served as the executive officer to the commanding general of Army North, Fifth Army.
As his final assignment in uniform, COL David W. Trotter was selected to serve as the deputy commander for Joint Base San Antonio and the vice commander of the 502d Air Base Wing.
A highly decorated officer, Dave earned several service awards, including the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster and the Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, for his service. He also earned the Ranger Tab, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Pathfinder Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.
Dave has deployed in support of combat operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. He has served at every level and commanded with distinction at the company through brigade levels within the conventional force and within the Army's premier Special Operations Command. He and his family have sacrificed so much to ensure America can be what it is today.
David, congratulations on your successful career and well-deserved retirement. I want to thank you and your family for the sacrifices you have made over the past 30 years. I join my colleagues in Congress and all Americans as we express our deepest appreciation for your service, acknowledge you and your family's many accomplishments and sacrifices, and wish the very best for you, your wife Tami, and your son Ty in the future.
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