A fifth-generation Texan and graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Keith Self served our nation for 25 years as an Army officer, first retiring from active duty in 1999. He was recalled to active duty in 2002 - 2003 for service in Afghanistan and Qatar, serving in the Plans and Policy Directorate, US Central Command on General Tommy Franks' staff planning the invasion of Iraq.
Keith served for 12 years in Joint assignments (integrating Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines):
- US embassy in Cairo, Egypt - helping to manage the $2 Billion in US taxpayer-funded military aid to Egypt each year;
- US European Command, Germany - managing the US-Israeli military relationship;
- Pentagon - developing and implementing national strategy in the emerging high tech area of Information Warfare;
- National Security Council (NSC) Interagency Working Group in the White House complex - representing the Joint Staff;
- NATO military staff in Belgium - negotiating with 37 nations for forces to deploy to Kosovo and Bosnia.
A Ranger, Green Beret and Master Parachutist infantry officer, Keith Self served nine years in the 82nd Airborne Division and Green Berets, commanding an airborne rifle company; a Special Forces A-Team deploying a man-portable nuclear munition (suitcase nuke) and a Special Forces company. He is a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College and holds a Masters degree in International Relations.
In 2002, Keith was recalled to active duty for 14 months to help plan and conduct the Iraq invasion.
Keith is a member of the Samaritan Inn board. The Samaritan Inn is the only homeless shelter in Collin County. Keith also serves on the board of the Prestonwood Pregnancy Center and co-chairs the DFW US Army Recruiting Battalion Advisory Board. He is a member of the McKinney Downtown Rotary Club.
Tracy serves as Children's Director for McKinney/Allen Community Bible Study (CBS).
Keith and Tracy have been married for 34 years. They live in McKinney and attend Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, where Tracy serves in the children's special needs program.
