Leadership

Colonel David Zinnante earned his commission in the United States Army Medical Service Corps through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at the University of Texas in 1997. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master’s Degree in Environmental Management from the University of Maryland University College, a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Louisville, and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. He is also a graduate of both the Combined Arms and Services Staff School and the Command and General Staff College and is board certified in healthcare management as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE).

Prior to his arrival at Fort Sill, COL Zinnante served as the Chief, Integration and Operations Division, Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate (CDID), Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Previous assignments include: Department Chair/Professor of Military Science, University of Texas, Austin, Texas; Commander, Kirk United States Army Health Clinic, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland; Force Health Protection Officer, III Corps, Fort Hood, Texas; Chief and Program Manager for the Army’s 68S (Preventive Medicine Specialist) Military Occupational Specialty training program at Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Commander, 224th Medical Detachment, Fort Hood, Texas where he deployed the detachment to Louisiana in support of Hurricane Katrina disaster relief operations and later to Afghanistan for 15 months in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; Executive Officer, Group Support Company and Group Preventive Medicine Officer, 7th Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he deployed to the Republic of Colombia in support of counterdrug operations and to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; Division Environmental Science Officer, Division Preventive Medicine Officer, and Deputy Division Surgeon for the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; PROFIS Executive Officer for the 714th Medical Detachment, Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he deployed to Honduras in support of Hurricane Mitch humanitarian assistance operations; and Field Preventive Medicine Officer with the Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine – North, Fort Meade, Maryland.

Colonel Zinnante’s most notable awards and decorations include the Bronze Star (with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster), Combat Action Badge, Combat Medical Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge, Army Jumpmaster Badge, Air Assault Badge, German Parachutist Badge, and the Order of Military Medical Merit (O2M3). 

CSM Jose L. Cotto was born in Tacoma, WA and entered reserve service on 14 February 2000 as a Multi-channel Repairer/ Maintainer. He completed Basic Combat Training at Ft Benning, GA and Advanced Individual Training at Ft Gordon, GA. He entered active service on 14 June 2002 as a Medical Laboratory Technician. He completed his second Advanced Individual Training at Ft Sam Houston, TX (phase 1) and Walter Reed Army Medical Center (phase 2).

CSM Cotto's assignments include: 1st Area Medical Laboratory (AML) SGM; United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease (USAMRIID) S3 NCOIC, Ft Detrick, MD; Chief Enlisted Subject Matter Expert, Directorate of Training and Academic Affairs (DoTAA); Center for Health Education and Training (CHET) Department of Health Service Support NCOIC, AMEDD C&S, San Antonio, TX; Detachment Sergeant, 421st Medical Battalion (Multifunctional), Baumholder, DE; Plans NCO, 421st Medical Battalion (Multifunctional), Baumholder, DE; Instructor/ Writer, Chemistry Section NCOIC, AMEDD C&S, San Antonio, TX; Chemical Section NCOIC, 1st Area Medical Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD; Blood Bank NCOIC, Ft Bliss, TX; Donor Center NCOIC, Ft Bliss, TX; Donor Center Specialist, Ft Bliss, TX; He deployed with 31st Combat Support Hospital to Operation Iraqi Freedom from January 2004 to December 2004.

His military education includes the General Dynamics Course, Multichannel Repairer Maintainer Course, Medical Laboratory Technician Course, Air Assault Course, Instructor Training Course, Evaluating Instructor Course (TIER 3), Functional Training Development Course, Retention Course, Small Arms Master Marksman Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, Sergeants Major Academy (Class 69). His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences from Trident University and Masters in Healthcare Administration from Park University.

His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with silver Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Superior Unit Award, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Good Conduct Medal (4th Award), National Defense Service Medal, GWOT Service Medal, GWOT Expeditionary Medal, Combat Action Badge, Air Assault Badge, Expert Field Medical Badge, Drivers Badge, and member of the Order Of Military Medical Merit.