Curtis Alan Buzzard[1] is a United States Army major general who serves as the commanding general of the United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Moore since July 14, 2022.[2] Prior to that, he served as the deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and training of the United States Army Forces Command from January 2022 to June 2022, and as the 78th Commandant of Cadets of the United States Military Academy from June 2019 to May 2021.
Curtis A. Buzzard | |
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.jpg) Official portrait, 2023 | |
| Born | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1992–present |
| Rank | Major General |
| Unit | 82nd Airborne Division |
| Commands held |
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| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | |
| Alma mater | |
Education edit
Buzzard earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He later received a Master of Public Administration degree from the Harvard Kennedy School and a master's degree in military science from the Marine Corps University.[3][4]
Military career edit
Buzzard graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1992 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 82nd Airborne Division as a rifle platoon leader.[3] 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.[5] 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.[5]
On June 28, 2019 Colonel Buzzard was appointed Commandant of the United States Corps of Cadets at West Point.[6] On October 4, 2019, Buzzard was promoted to brigadier general.[6]
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).[7]
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.[8][9]
In July 2021, Buzzard was nominated for promotion to major general.[10][9] He was reassigned as commanding general of the U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence in March 2022, and assumed command on July 14, 2022.[11][2]
Failing is where "optimal learning occurs".[12] —Curtis A. Buzzard
Personal life edit
Buzzard is married and is a father of three daughters.
Awards and decorations edit
- 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 edit
- ^ "Curtis Alan Buzzard". West Point Association of Graduates. Retrieved 2022-05-16.
- ^ a b Gago, Alexander (July 14, 2022). "Maj. Gen. Curtis A. Buzzard takes command of Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning". U.S. Army. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
- ^ a b "Buzzard promoted to rank of Brigadier General | PointerView.com | Proudly Serving West Point, NY | West Point News and Commentary".
- ^ Buzzard, Curtis A.; White, John C.; Ferguson, Jared N. (September 30, 2016). "An Exercise in Mission Command: The Panther Brigade in Operation Inherent Resolve" (PDF). Infantry Magazine. Retrieved 2022-05-16.
- ^ a b "Commandant's Biography | United States Military Academy West Point". www.westpoint.edu.
- ^ a b "Commandant Promoted to rank of Brigadier General – West-Point.ORG". Archived from the original on 2020-06-15. Retrieved 2020-06-15.
- ^ "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 July 14, 2022.
- ^ "General Officer Assignment Announcement, dtd 28 March 2022". GOMO. Office of the Chief of Staff of the Army. March 28, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
- ^ Gill, Jaspreet (2023-12-01). "Pentagon must train for 'uncertainty,' while better sharing data: Officials". Breaking Defense. Retrieved 2024-03-16.