Captain Louis D. Goldstein, an esteemed officer in the United States Army Reserve, commenced his military career in November 2002. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communication Studies from Saint Cloud State University and a Master of Science in Management with a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University.

Military Career: CPT Goldstein enlisted in the Army Reserve, earning the MOS of 12B (Combat Engineer) following Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training. During his 12.5-year tenure as an enlisted Soldier, he rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class. He distinguished himself as a Route Clearance Squad Leader in Afghanistan (2010-2011), where he was twice wounded and awarded the Army Commendation Medal with a “V” device for valor.

Commissioned through the direct commission process in January 2015, CPT Goldstein volunteered for deployment with the 312th Engineer Company (Horizontal) while at the Engineer Basic Officer Leader Course (EBOLC). As Platoon Leader for 2nd Platoon, he led projects across Kuwait, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Afghanistan.

Post-deployment, CPT Goldstein served as Operations Officer for the 305th Engineer Company, overseeing Route Clearance mission training and preparation. Subsequently, he was appointed Battalion Plans Officer and HHC Company Commander with the 389th Engineer Battalion in Dubuque, Iowa. There, he spearheaded the memorialization of the Battalion Headquarters in honor of a local Soldier and established the “King of the Castle” Battalion competition. He also led the Battalion’s Suicide Prevention program.

CPT Goldstein has been assigned to the Army ROTC since 2023. He currently is the acting PMS and teaches the MSIII and MSIV classes. 

Advocacy and Volunteer Work: CPT Goldstein is a dedicated advocate for mental health and suicide prevention in the Army, being one of the first to earn the Additional Skill Identifier of Suicide Prevention Instructor. He actively volunteers with the Wounded Warrior Project as a Peer Leader, mentoring veterans and fostering community support for veterans.

Assignments:

• Squad Member, 367th Engineer Battalion Personal Security Platoon – Saint Cloud, MN (Nov 2002 – Jul 2007)
• Team Leader, 1st Squad, 2nd Platoon, 309th MAC – Brainerd, MN (Jul 2007 – Jul 2009)
• Squad Leader, 1st Squad, 2nd Platoon, 309th MAC – Brainerd, MN (Jul 2009 – Jan 2013)
• Platoon Sergeant, 3rd Platoon, 309th MAC – Brainerd, MN (Jan 2013 – Jan 2015)
• Platoon Leader, 1st Platoon, 469th MAC – Dodgeville, WI (Jan 2015 – Apr 2016)
• Platoon Leader, 2nd Platoon, 312th Engineer Company – Duluth, MN (Apr 2016 – May 2017)
• Operations Officer, 305th Engineer Company – San Diego, CA (May 2017 – Oct 2019)
• Engineer Captains Career Course (ECCC) – Fort Leonard Wood, MO (Oct 2019 – Jul 2020)
• Engineer Plans Officer, 389th Engineer Battalion – Dubuque, IA (Jul 2020 – Aug 2023)
• Commander, Headquarters Company, 389th Engineer Battalion – Dubuque, IA (May 2021 – Jun 2023)
• Assistant Professor of Military Science, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, MI (Aug 2024 – Present)

Awards and Decorations:

• Bronze Star Medal
• Purple Heart (2nd Award)
• Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award)
• Army Commendation Medal w/ “V” Device
• Army Commendation Medal w/ “R” Device
• Army Commendation Medal (4th Award)
• Army Achievement Medal (6th Award)
• Army Good Conduct Medal
• Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (3rd Award)
• National Defense Service Medal
• Afghanistan Campaign Medal (3 Stars)
• GWOT Expeditionary Medal
• GWOT Service Medal
• Outstanding Military Volunteer Service Medal
• Army Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Numeral 2, Silver Hourglass Device, and Mobilization Device)
• Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 3)
• Army Service Ribbon
• Army Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 2)
• Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon
• NATO Service Medal (1 Star)
• Basic Army Instructor Badge
• German Armed Forces Badge (Gold)
• Drivers Mechanics Badge w/ Wheeled Clasp
• Army Valorous Unit Award Ribbon

Personal Information: CPT Goldstein hails from Hutchinson, Minnesota. Married for 19 years to his high school sweetheart, he is a father to three children, aged 17, 14, and 11.