Michael Xavier Garrett (born 1961) is a retired general in the United States Army who served as the commanding general of United States Army Forces Command from 2019 to 2022.[1] He previously served as the commanding general of United States Army Central, chief of staff of United States Central Command and commanding general of United States Army Alaska.[2]
Michael X. Garrett | |
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 Garrett in 2023 | |
| Born | 1961 (age 62–63) Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1984–2022 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | United States Army Forces Command
United States Army Central United States Army Alaska 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) 3rd Battalion, 325th Infantry (Airborne) |
| Battles/wars | War in Afghanistan Iraq War |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal (3) Legion of Merit (5) Bronze Star Medal (3) |
The son of Edward Garrett, a retired Army command sergeant major,[3] Garrett is from Cleveland, Ohio and attended High School in Germany. He was commissioned in 1984 into the Infantry upon his graduation from Xavier University.[4] Garrett was nominated for promotion to general to become the commanding general of United States Army Forces Command in January 2019.[5][6] He was confirmed by the Senate for the position in February and assumed command in March.[7]
President Joe Biden appointed Garrett as commissioner for the American Battle Monuments Commission in July 2023, and he was elected to serve as chairman on 1 August 2023.
Assignments edit
Garrett was the commanding general of United States Army Forces Command, located at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He previously served as the commanding general of United States Army Central, located at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.[citation needed]
Garrett's assignments include chief of staff of United States Central Command, commanding general of United States Army Alaska, deputy commander of United States Alaskan Command and multiple joint and operational tours, staff assignments at numerous levels as well as several commands. Highlights include commanding 3rd Battalion, 325th Infantry (Airborne), 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He deployed to Afghanistan as chief of current operations, Combined Task Force 180 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He then commanded 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division (Light), which deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following brigade command, Garrett served as the deputy commanding general of United States Army Recruiting Command. Following his tour with Recruiting Command, Garrett returned to Fort Bragg where he served as the Chief of Staff, XVIII Airborne Corps. As the XVIII Airborne Corps chief of staff, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn, where he served as the deputy chief of staff for United States Forces-Iraq.[citation needed]
Education edit
Garrett's military education includes completion of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced courses, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and a prestigious Senior Service College Fellowship. He also holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Xavier University.
Awards and decorations edit
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 Defense Superior Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
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 Legion of Merit with four oak leaf clusters
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 Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters
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 Defense Meritorious Service Medal
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 Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
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 Joint Service Commendation Medal
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 Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
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 Joint Service Achievement Medal
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 Army Achievement Medal
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 Joint Meritorious Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
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 Army Meritorious Unit Commendation
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  Iraq Campaign Medal with three service stars
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 Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
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 Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
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 Korea Defense Service Medal
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 Humanitarian Service Medal
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 Army Service Ribbon
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  Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 6
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References edit
- ^ Riley, Rachel (8 July 2022). "'I can't wait to see where you take them': Fort Bragg-based command gets new four-star general". The Fayetteville Observer.
- ^ "Lt. Gen. Garrett named new U.S. Army Central commander". The State. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
- ^ France, By (1 October 2010). "Profile: Brig. Gen. Micheal Xavier Garrett – Xavier Magazine". Xtra.xavier.edu. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
- ^ Implications of Fighting, By, With, and Through (4 October 2017). "LTG Michael X. Garrett | Association of the United States Army". Ausa.org. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Lt. Gen. Michael Garrett nominated to lead FORSCOM - News". Stripes. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
- ^ "Head of Army's Middle East command nominated to four-star job in charge of stateside forces". 16 January 2019.
- ^ "General Michael X. Garrett". U.S. Army. Retrieved 21 March 2019.