Veteran Services Program Director

Brigadier General, U.S. Army Retired, David Blackledge is Melwood’s new Program Director of Veterans Services. Mr. Blackledge will build on the success of Operation: Tohidu, an experiential healing program for warfighters living with deployment-related trauma, by growing an array of available support services. Such services will include programs, activities, resources, and trainings for veterans and their families.

Mr. Blackledge was recently the Director of Estuarine Education and Leadership Development at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and was responsible for the operation of the College’s Estuarine Education & Leadership Development Center. During his time there, he established a partnership with the University of Southern Mississippi’s Institute for Disability Studies and the Wounded Warrior Project to offer three-day adventure therapy retreats to program participants.  

Mr. Blackledge has a long and distinguished military career retiring from his 37 years as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army of Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command. He served as the Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Reserve Affairs for the Department of the Army at The Pentagon. Prior to The Pentagon, Mr. Blackledge was the Commanding General for 353^rd Civil Affairs Command in Baghdad, Iraq.                                                                                      

Mr. Blackledge military awards include the Legion of Merit (four awards), Bronze Star Medal (five awards), Purple Heart (two awards) and numerous others. Mr. Blackledge is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin.