Curtis A. Buzzard
Curtis A. Buzzard | |
---|---|
Born | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Army |
Years of service | 1992–present |
Rank | Major General |
Commands held | United States Military Academy Joint Multinational Readiness Center 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division 1st Battalion, 504th Infantry Regiment |
Battles/wars | Iraq War War in Afghanistan |
Awards | Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star Medal (3) |
Curtis A. Buzzard is a United States Army officer who served as the 78th Commandant of Cadets of the United States Military Academy.
Education[]
Buzzard earned a master's degrees from Harvard University and the Marine Corps University.[1]
Military career[]
Buzzard graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1992 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 82nd Airborne Division as a rifle platoon leader.[1] He went on to serve in numerous command roles as company leader within several different units, including the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and later in the 3rd Infantry Regiment.
Buzzard later attended the Marine Corps University and returned to the 82nd Airborne Division as a battalion operations officer and battalion executive officer. He later served as commander of the 1st Battalion, 505th Infantry Regiment. Buzzard then served as the US Army War College Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and returned to the 82nd Airborne Division, where he served as the division G3 and later commanded the division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team.[2] Buzzard also served as the army military aide to the president, serving presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Buzzard served tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan.[2]
On June 28, 2019 Colonel Buzzard was appointed Commandant of the United States Corps of Cadets at West Point.[3] On October 4, 2019, Buzzard was promoted to brigadier general.[3]
In March 2021, it was announced that Buzzard would become deputy chief of staff for operations for NATO's Operation Resolute Support, which trains and assists Afghan Security Forces; deputy commanding general for operations for U.S. Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A); and commander of U.S. National Support Element Command-Afghanistan for Operation Freedom's Sentinel (part of Resolute Support).[4]
After the 2021 US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Buzzard will lead the Defense Security Cooperation Management Office Afghanistan in Qatar. He will administer funding and over-the-horizon aircraft maintenance support for the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, also supporting the newly-formed US Forces Afghanistan Forward, in charge of American troops in Afghanistan. He assumed command in late July.[5][6]
In July 2021, Buzzard was nominated for promotion to major general.[7][6]
Personal life[]
Buzzard is married and is a father of three daughters.
Awards and decorations[]
- Defense Superior Service Medal
- Legion of Merit (3 awards)
- Bronze Star Medal (3 awards)
- Meritorious Service Medal (6 awards)
- Army Commendation Medal (3 awards)
- Air Assault Badge
- Army Staff Badge
- Combat Infantryman's Badge
- Expert Infantryman's Badge
- Master Parachutist Badge
- Presidential Service Badge
- Ranger Tab
- Numerous foreign jump wings
References[]
- ^ a b "Buzzard promoted to rank of Brigadier General | PointerView.com | Proudly Serving West Point, NY | West Point News and Commentary".
- ^ a b "Commandant's Biography | United States Military Academy West Point". www.westpoint.edu.
- ^ a b https://www.west-point.org/commandant-promoted-to-rank-of-brigadier-general/
- ^ "General Officer Assignments". defense.gov. United States Department of Defense. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ Mitchell, Ellen (July 2, 2021). "Pentagon to switch over U.S. military leadership in Afghanistan". The Hill. Retrieved July 3, 2021.
- ^ a b "Brigadier General Curtis A. Buzzard (USA)". Retrieved 2021-07-31.
- ^ "PN815 — Army, 117th Congress (2021–2022)". U.S. Congress. Retrieved 2021-07-14.
- United States Army generals
- Living people
- Military personnel from Pennsylvania
- United States Military Academy alumni
- Harvard University alumni
- United States Army personnel of the Iraq War
- United States Army personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
- United States Military Academy people