Brigadier General
Director of the Joint Staff for the Arkansas National Guard
Brig. Gen. Kevin L. Vines began his military career in 1989 when he enlisted as a combat engineer in A CO, 875th Engineer Battalion. He is a 1991 distinguished military graduate from Arkansas State’s Reserve Officer Training Corps. He completed the engineer officer basic course and was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, where he served as an engineer platoon leader and company executive officer in the 91st Engineer Battalion.
Vines was appointed an infantry officer upon joining the Arkansas Army National Guard in 1995 and served in various positions in the 39th Infantry Brigade. These included Platoon Leader, D CO, 2-153 IN, Platoon Leader, B CO, 2-153 IN, Support Platoon Leader, HHC, 1-153 IN, S2, 1-153 IN and Commander, HHC, 1-153 Infantry Battalion.
He rejoined the Engineer Corps when he transferred to the 875th Engineer Battalion in 2000. He has served in various engineer officer positions to include Battalion S2, Battalion Operations Officer and Battalion S3. He served as the 875th Engineer Battalion’s Executive Officer during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2006-08 and commanded the battalion from March 2011 to September 2013.
Vines also served as the Brigade S1 and the Brigade Executive Officer for the 87th Troop Command. He has served in various full-time staff positions including; Battalion and Brigade Administrative Officer, Department of Military Support Operations Officer, Deputy G1, Deputy Human Resources Officer (HRO), the HRO and the Chief of Staff for the Arkansas Army National Guard. He currently serves as the Director of the Joint Staff for the Arkansas National Guard.
Vines is a 2016 U.S. Army War College distinguished graduate. He holds a Master of Science degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College, a Master of Science degree in operations management from the University of Arkansas, and a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from Arkansas State.
He has received numerous awards and decorations including the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Arkansas Distinguished Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge and the Parachutist Badge. BG Vines has also been awarded the Army Engineer Association’s Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal.
Vines and his wife, Kim, live in Sherwood.
