Eugene Vindman began his military career after graduating from college and receiving an ROTC commission as a second lieutenant in the Army’s Infantry Branch. He completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning and held assignments with the 82nd Airborne Division, where he led airborne infantry and anti-armor platoons, and as a company commander. As a JAG he advised leaders from Brigade Commander to the National Security Advisor. He also served as senior prosecutor (district attorney equivalent) at Fort Hood (Fort Cavasos) which was the busiest jurisdiction in the world at the time. Eugene served in Iraq during Operation New Dawn in 2011.
In 2018, Vindman took an assignment with the National Security Council, where he served as deputy legal advisor and agency ethics official. His responsibilities at the NSC encompassed working with international organizations like NATO and the International Criminal Court. In 2019, Eugene (and his brother) reported the infamous call where Donald Trump attempted to extort President Zelensky of Ukraine. Trump retaliated after he was acquitted by the Senate damaging his career. Eugene finished his career as a Colonel in 2022.
Vindman earned numerous awards and badges, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, six Meritorious Service Medals, a Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, and three Army Achievement Medals. He also earned the Expert Infantryman‘s Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.