Start of career LaBoa completed the
Infantry Officer Basic Course in 1962. His additional training included the
Airborne and
Pathfinder courses. From October 1964 to September 1965, LaBoa served in Vietnam during the
Vietnam War. After returning to the United States, he was assigned as supply officer for the 6th Student Battalion at
Fort Benning. In 1966, LaBoa was appointed
aide-de-camp to Lieutenant General
Louis W. Truman, commander of the
Third United States Army at
Fort McPherson,
Georgia. During his second deployment to Vietnam, LaBoa served with the
25th Infantry Division as commander of Company A, 1st Battalion,
5th Infantry Regiment and operations officer for 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry. He was selected for promotion to
major in 1968. LaBoa's post-Vietnam assignments included commander of 2nd Battalion,
15th Infantry Regiment from 1977 to 1979. In 1981, LaBoa graduated from the
United States Army War College and received a
Master of Science in public administration from
Shippensburg State University. In the early and mid 1980s, LaBoa's assignments included assistant chief of staff for plans, operations and training (G-3) and inspector general for the
5th Infantry Division.
General officer As a colonel, LaBoa commanded 1st Brigade,
8th Infantry Division. He then served as chief of staff for the 8th Infantry Division, and remained in this position until being selected for promotion to
brigadier general in 1985. From March 1986 to June 1987, LaBoa served as deputy director of operations in the operations directorate of the
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. LaBoa's later assignments as a general officer included assistant division commander (support) for the 4th Infantry Division, and director of operations for
Forces Command. LaBoa served as commander of the
4th Infantry Division from October 1991 to October 1993. He served as chief of staff for Forces Command from 1993 to 1995. From May to July 1995, LaBoa commanded
Second United States Army as a
lieutenant general. When
First United States Army and Second Army were combined, LaBoa assumed command of First Army, which he led until his 1997 retirement. ==Post-military career==