Colonel Tyrone D. Clifton is the US Army Reserve Senior Policy Advisor to the Chairman of the Reserve Forces Policy Board (RFPB) in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington DC.

Colonel Tyrone Clifton was borne in San Juan, Puerto Rico and raised in Joppatowne, Maryland. In 1986, he graduated from Joppatowne High School and in January 1987, he attended University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). He participated in US Army ROTC at Salisbury State University, and subsequently awarded a 2 year ROTC scholarship. In 1991, he received a Bachelor of Science in Hotel & Restaurant Management from UMES, and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in Field Artillery from the US Army ROTC.  In 2009, Colonel Clifton completed a Masters Degree in Leadership & Business Ethics from Duquesne University, in Pittsburgh, Pa, and in 2012, he received a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. Colonel Clifton is married to Ramona Woodfork of Chicago, Illinois. They have 3 children, Jeffrey, Alexis, and Joshua. 

Throughout his career, Colonel Clifton has served in a variety of assignments and positions in the Regular Army and in the United States Army Reserve.  His first assignment was from 1991 to 1993 as a Company Fire Support Officer for Company A, 1st Battalion 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort Kobbe, Panama. From 1993 to 1995, he was assigned to 3rd Brigade, 24th Infantry Division at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he served as a Platoon Leader and Executive Officer for Battery B, 4th Battalion 41st Field Artillery Regiment, and as the Battalion Ammunition Officer. As the Battery Executive Officer, he deployed with his 155mm howitzer unit to Doha, Kuwait in support of Operation Intrinsic Action. From 1995 to 2000, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he served as the Battalion Fire Support Officer for 3rd Battalion 73rd Armor Regiment, the Battalion S1 for 1st Battalion 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, the Battalion Fire Direction Officer for 1st Battalion 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, and as the Battery Commander for Battery C, 1st Battalion 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment. As ‘Charlie’ Battery Commander, he deployed his 105 MM howitzer Battery with 2nd Battalion 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment to Albania and Kosovo in support of Kosovo Campaign and peace keeping operations.  In 2000, Colonel Clifton transitioned to the United States Army Reserve and served in the 645th Area Support Group in Southfield, Michigan. In 2003, he accepted an Active Guard & Reserves (AGR) position as an Operations Officer for the 645th Area Support Group. In 2006, he was nominated as an Inspector General (IG) and was assigned to the 99th Regional Readiness Command in Coraopolis, Pa. From 2006 to 2010, he served in a variety of IG positions. From 2006 – 2007, he served as the Chief of Assistance & Investigations. From 2007 – 2008, he deployed as a Detailed IG for the 316th Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. From 2008 – 2010, he served as the Deputy IG, and the acting Command IG for the newly formed 99th Regional Support Command at Fort Dix, New Jersey. From 2010 – 2011, he served as a Battalion Commander for 1st Battalion 411th Regiment for 4th Cavalry Brigade, 1st Army (Division East) at Fort Knox, Kentucky. From 2011 – 2012, Colonel Clifton attended the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.  From 2012 – 2013, he served as the Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Army Reserve Affairs with HQ 3rd Army /ARCENT at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.   From 2013 – 2014, he served as the Commander for 2503rd Digital Liaison Detachment, HQ, 8th Army, in Yongsan, Korea.   

His Military Education includes:
Basic Airborne Course, Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, Air Ground Operations School, Ranger Course, Field Artillery Officer Advance Course, Jumpmaster Course, Combined Arms Senior Service School, Multi-Functional Logisticians Course, Intermediate Level Education,  the Inspector General Course, and the Army War College. 

His Deployments include:
Republic of Kuwait in support of Operation Intrinsic Action (’94), the Kosovo Campaign in Albania and Kosovo (’99), Operation Iraqi Freedom at Camp Taji, Iraq (’07), and Operation Enduring Freedom at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait (’13)

His Awards/Decorations include:
1 x Legion of Merit, 1 x Bronze Star Medal, 5 x Meritorious Service Medals, 5 x Army Commendation Medals, 2 x Army Achievement Medals, 1 x Kosovo Campaign Medal, 1 x Iraq Campaign Medal, 1 x NATO medal, 1 x Southwest Asia Medal, 4 x Overseas Medals, 1 x Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, 1 x Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, 1 x National Defense Service Medal, 1 x Korean Service Defense Medal, Master Parachutist Badge, and Ranger Tab.  

(Current as of January 13, 2015)