Army West Point Athletics
Football
- Title:
- Admissions Support Officer
- Phone:
- 0388
MAJ Zachary I. Peterson, former Army West Point football center (2007-2010), joined the football support staff in July 2022 as the admissions support officer. He is responsible for the daily interaction with recruited athletes, high school counselors, administrators, USMAPS officials and USMA representatives regarding candidate academic eligibility, medical qualification, congressional nomination procedures, physical fitness requirements and future potential service in the United States Army. He also serves as the advance contact for away games to set conditions prior to the team’s arrival.
After graduating from the United States Military Academy in May of 2011 and prior to attending the Field Artillery Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC), Peterson was selected as an Athletic Intern at USMAPS, coaching the offensive line during the 2011 season.
Following his tenure as an Intern at USMAPS and the completion of FA BOLC, he joined the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA where he served as a Company Fire Support Officer with 3-15 IN, deploying to Wardak Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom XIII-XIV. Upon his return from Afghanistan, he then served as a Firing Battery Platoon Leader (M119A2) with Bravo Battery, 1-76 FA. In his final year at Fort Stewart, Peterson was selected as the Aide-de-Camp to the Deputy Commanding General-Support 3rd Infantry Division, deploying to Bagram, Afghanistan in support of OFS.
Peterson then transitioned to the Field Artillery Captains Career Course with a follow-on assignment to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st ABN DIV (AASLT), Fort Campbell, KY as the 3-187 IN Fire Support Officer, deploying to Helmand and Kandahar Provinces, Afghanistan in support of OFS. He would return from this deployment and be re-assigned as the 101st DIVARTY Force Field Artillery Headquarters Assistant Operations Officer, deploying to Bagram, Afghanistan in support of OFS.
Following his fourth deployment to Afghanistan, Peterson commanded A/3-320 FA, 3BCT, 101st ABN DIV (AASLT) and then Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st Division Sustainment Brigade. During his second command with HHC/101st DSB, he deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield.
Peterson’s key military awards and qualifications include: the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medals, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Space Enabler, Combat Action Badge, Pathfinder, Airborne, and Air Assault Badges. He also has obtained numerous Joint Fires Additional Skill Identifiers.
During his time as a player, Peterson was a two-year starter at the center position, including being a part of the 2010-Armed Forces Bowl Championship team. He was selected to Phil Steele’s All-Independent teams during his junior and senior seasons. During both of those seasons, he received the “Ranger Award,” an internal team-award given for outstanding effort.
Peterson has a Bachelor of Science degree in Leadership from the United States Military Academy, a Master of Arts degree in Global and International Studies (Interagency Studies Track) from the University of Kansas, and a Masters of Operational Studies degree from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
MAJ Peterson is a fourth-generation artillery officer, and he resides on West Point with his son, Grady.
