May 2024
Veteran of the Month, May 2024
Retired Army Colonel Angela M. Odom
Ms. Angela Odom is the founder of The Better U Project brand and the host of the Better U Leadership podcast. She is the author of “Bronco Strong: A Memoir of the Last Deployed Personnel Services Battalion” and “Golom’s Magical Gamers”. She is also a contributing author of “Camouflaged Sisters, Leadership Through the Eyes of Senior Military Women Leaders”.
Education
Ms. Odom earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, a Master of Science degree from Central Michigan University, and a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the United States Army War College.
Military Service
Ms. Odom began her military career as a private in the U.S. Army Reserves from December 1984 to August 1985. She began serving on active duty as a Commissioned Officer with the U.S. Army in February 1989. Ms. Odom deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operations Desert Shield and Storm with XVIII Airborne Corps. She deployed to Qatar in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the U.S. Central Command. She served as a battalion commander with the 1st Calvary Division in Baghdad, Iraq from October 2006 to January 2008. She retired after 27 years of honorable service in 2015.
Memberships and Other Affiliations
Military: Life Member of the following; US Army War College Foundation(2013), Disabled American Veterans(2015), Adjutant General’s Corps Regimental Association (2016).
Awards and Recognitions
Ms. Odom earned numerous awards and decorations to include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (7th Award), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal(2nd Award), Southwest Asia Service Medal with Two Bronze Service Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal(2nd Award), and the Parachutist Badge. Recently, Ms. Odom received the Pota E. Coston “Social Action” Trailblazer Award and Pinnacle Leadership Award.