Lt. Col. Craig Painter joined the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies as an Army fellow in August 2025, following his assignment as the 9th Mission Support Command G4 chief of sustainment at Fort Shafter Flats, Hawaii.
Painter has served in multiple tactical and operational assignments throughout his career. His assignments include 9th MSC G4 logistical plans officer, 3302 Mobilization Support Battalion S3, 351 Civil Affairs Command deputy G4, FEMA Region VI Homeland Response Force deputy J4, Alpha Company 636th Brigade Support Battalion company commander, 1-14th Agricultural Development Team S2 officer, and 766th Engineer Battalion S2. Painter has two years of combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Painter holds a Master of Arts in management from American Military University and a Bachelor of Science in public relations from Illinois State University. His military training and education include the Command and General Staff Officer College, Joint Logistics Course, Knowledge Management Qualification Course, Theater Sustainment Planners Course, Operational Contract Support, Combined Logistics Captain’s Career Course, and Military Intelligence Basic Officer Leaders Course.
His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (one oak leaf cluster), Army Commendation Medal (two oak leaf clusters), Army Achievement Medal (two oak leaf clusters), Iraq Campaign Medal (two campaign stars), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (two campaign stars), NATO Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation (one oak leaf cluster), Humanitarian Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, and Army Good Conduct Medal.
