LTC Robert M. Burnham assumed the role of Buffalo District Commander on July 18, 2024. He previously served as Deputy Commander for the Base Support Group at NATO Allied Land Command in Izmir, Turkey from June 2023 to June 2024.
Burnham hails from Beaufort, South Carolina and received his commission into the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in May 2006 from the Officer Candidate School at Fort Moore, Georgia. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from The Citadel Military College. Burnham holds a master’s degree in engineering management from the University of Missouri Science & Technology. He is a certified Project Management Professional.
Burnham’s previous assignments include Platoon Leader and Executive Officer for the 562nd Engineer Company, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington from 2006-2008. He attended Military Transition Team training at Fort Riley, Kansas and deployed to Afghanistan as a Combat Advisor attached to the 82nd Airborne Division in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 2008-2009. Upon completion of the Engineer Captain’s Career Course from 2009-2010, Burnham was assigned to the 11th Engineer Battalion at Fort Benning, Georgia and commanded the 362nd Multi Role Bridge Company from 2011-2013.
After command, Burnham served in several staff roles, including Chief of Master Planning Branch for the Directorate of Public Works at U.S. Army Garrison – Yongsan, South Korea from 2013-2014; Project Manager for the USACE Galveston District from 2014-2016; and G35 Future Operations Planner for I Corps at Joint Base Lewis-McChord from 2018-2019. Burnham’s key developmental assignments included Battalion Executive Officer for Brigade Special Troops Battalion, Area Support Group – Kuwait from 2017-2018 and Executive Officer for the 555th Engineer Brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord from 2019-2020. He served as Deputy Commander for the USACE Wilmington District from 2020-2023.
Burnham’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4OLC), Army Commendation Medal, (2OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, NATO-ISAF Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Gold Badge.
His military education includes the Engineer Officer Basic Course, Engineer Officer Advanced Course, and Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
His deployments include Operation Enduring Freedom from 2008-2009.