LTC Antonio J. Barroso, JC ’00
2026 Military Service Award
From his start as an Early Commissioning Program cadet at Georgia Military College to more than two decades of distinguished military service, LTC Antonio J. Barroso has built a career marked by leadership, combat service, and a commitment to developing capabilities that strengthen the United States military.
A native of Miami, Florida, and a first-generation American, LTC Barroso attended GMC from 1998 to 2000. He was active throughout campus and the Corps of Cadets, serving as Student Government Treasurer and participating on the Ranger Challenge Team, Cadet Corps Color Guard, and Drill Team, as well as in youth and community outreach. He also participated in the Simultaneous Membership Program, enlisting and drilling with the Georgia Army National Guard throughout his two years at GMC. He graduated with associate degrees in Criminal Justice and General Studies and was commissioned as an Infantry Second Lieutenant in the Army National Guard, through GMC’s Early Commissioning Program.
LTC Barroso went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Florida International University and a master’s from Webster University. While in Florida, he served in multiple leadership positions with the Florida Army National Guard. In 2005, he deployed to Afghanistan as a Platoon Leader. He later served with the U.S. Military Liaison Office at the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown, Guyana, where his contributions to regional and multinational requirements as part of the country team were recognized with award of the U.S. Department of State’s Meritorious Honor Award.
His military career would take him back to Afghanistan in 2011, as an embed with the 4th Infantry Division. For his service during that combat deployment, LTC Barroso was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge. He also participated in mobilizations to the National Capital Region’s Integrated Air Defense mission and participated in Air Defense exercises in Japan and Korea.
In more recent assignments, LTC Barroso transitioned into the Army acquisition workforce, managing and supporting increasingly complex defense programs. His focus has included Soldier and Ground Combat System portfolios where he oversaw cost, schedule, and performance objectives of multiple RDT&E efforts. Since 2023, he has served as a Joint Acquisition Program Manager with the Defense Innovation Unit, providing oversight of multiple DoW acquisition requirements valued at $500 million.
His military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal w/3 OLC, the Joint Commendation Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Army Space Badge, the Secretary of Defense Staff Badge, the Army Staff Badge, The Order of Saint Maurice, The Order of Saint Barbara, and numerous other awards and distinctions.
Service also remains an important part of LTC Barroso’s life outside the military. In 2023, he received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteer Service in recognition of more than 6,300 hours of volunteer service, including his involvement with Civil Air Patrol and local civic organizations.
LTC Barroso and his wife, Priscilla, celebrated 22 years of marriage in 2025 and currently reside in Alexandria, Virginia. They have three children, Isabela Victoria, Diego Solomon, and Rodrigo Santiago, along with two terriers. When away from work, he enjoys spending time with his family, tackling home improvement projects, barbecuing, and traveling.
Georgia Military College is honored to recognize LTC Antonio J. Barroso with the 2026 Military Service Award.
