COL Chad Bates is currently the special assistant to the Commanding General, U.S. Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER) - focusing on the readiness and modeling and simulation analysis of the Army’s Cyber, Electronic Warfare, Network, and Information Advantage work force. In 1995, he began his military career as a field artillery officer and in 2005 transferred to become a simulation operations officer (FA57) focusing on the field of modeling & simulation (M&S) and data science. Prior to this assignment, COL Bates served with the U.S. Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence (DCS G-2) on M&S issues and optimization analysis for the military intelligence community. He earned his PhD from George Mason University specializing in Earth systems and Geospatial Information Science, with a focus on spatial analysis and work process improvements. His other academic degrees include a BS in Psychological Engineering from the United States Military Academy, a double master degrees from Webster University in Information Systems Management and Human Resources Management, and a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.