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Michael Kurilla

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Michael E. Kurilla
Official portrait, 2022
Birth nameMichael Erik Kurilla
Nickname(s)Gorilla
Born (1966-05-16) 16 May 1966 (age 58)
California, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
Service / branchUnited States Army
Years of service1988–present
RankGeneral
CommandsUnited States Central Command
XVIII Airborne Corps
82nd Airborne Division
75th Ranger Regiment
1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment
Battles / wars
AwardsArmy Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Defense Superior Service Medal (4)
Legion of Merit (2)
Bronze Star (5)
Purple Heart (2)
Alma mater
Michael Kurilla's voice
Kurilla's opening statement at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the FY2024 USCENTCOM posture
Recorded 16 March 2023

Michael Erik Kurilla (born 16 May 1966)[1] is a United States Army general who serves as the 15th commander of United States Central Command since 1 April 2022.[2][3][4][5] He previously served as the commanding general of XVIII Airborne Corps and before that as the chief of staff of United States Central Command.[6][7]

Biography

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Gen. Kurilla is congratulated by his predecessor, Gen Frank McKenzie as he assumes command of CENTCOM on 1 April 2022.

Born in California and raised in Elk River, Minnesota, Kurilla received a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from the United States Military Academy, an MBA from Regis University, and a masters degree in national security studies from the National War College.[8] After graduating from West Point, he was commissioned into the U.S. Army as an infantry officer in 1988.[7] During his early career Kurilla participated in the United States invasion of Panama[9] and the Gulf War, as well as operations in Haiti, Kosovo, and Bosnia.[8]

From 2004 to 2014, he was stationed in the geographic area of responsibility of the U.S. Central Command,[8] deploying to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.[9] In 2005, he deployed to Iraq as the commander of 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division.[3] He was awarded a Bronze Star with "V" device after a battle in Mosul in which he "was shot three times but continued to fire back at insurgents while directing his troops."[3][10][11] He is a former commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment.[9] From 2012 to 2014 he was the Assistant Commanding General of Joint Special Operations Command.[6] He served as commander of the 82nd Airborne Division from 2016 to 2018 and Chief of Staff of U.S. Central Command from 2018 to 2019.[6] He assumed command of the XVIII Airborne Corps in October 2019.[7]

In 2022, he deployed to Germany to oversee U.S. troop deployments in response to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis.[12]

In April 2024 he was dispatched to Israel in anticipation of an Iranian counter-attack following the 2024 Iranian consulate airstrike in Damascus by Israel on April 1, in which several Iranian military leaders were killed.[13] In September he again visited Israel for consultations with defence minister Yoav Gallant.[14]

As of November 2024, Kurilla is under investigation after shoving an airman upon being asked to take his seat and buckle up for his safety during flight to Israel.[15]

Personal life

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General Kurilla and his wife Mary Paige have two daughters. [citation needed]

Service positions

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  • 1988–2004: Served in a variety of command positions in various infantry battalions during which they participated in the Gulf War and the stabilization force in Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • 2004–2005: Commander of the First Battalion of the 24th Infantry Regiment, Iraq
  • 2006–2008: Commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment Second Battalion, Iraq and Afghanistan
  • 2009–2011: Commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment
  • 2012–2014: Assistant Commander for Support of the Joint Special Operations Command
  • 2014–2015: Deputy Commanding General of the First Infantry Division
  • 2015–2016: Deputy Director for Special Operations and Counterterrorism of the Joint Staff
  • 2016–2018: Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division
  • 2018–2019: Chief of Staff of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM)
  • 2019–2022: Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne Corps
  • 2022–present: CENTCOM Commander[16]

Awards and decorations

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Combat Infantryman Badge with Star (denoting 2nd award)
Ranger tab
Master Combat Parachutist Badge with one bronze jump star
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
United States Central Command Badge
75th Ranger Regiment Combat Service Identification Badge
French Parachutist Badge
75th Ranger Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia
10 Overseas Service Bars
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Army Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Defense Superior Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Width-44 scarlet ribbon with width-4 ultramarine blue stripe at center, surrounded by width-1 white stripes. Width-1 white stripes are at the edges. Bronze Star Medal with "V" device and four oak leaf clusters
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Army Presidential Unit Citation
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Valorous Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Bronze star
 National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Arrowhead device and service star
Southwest Asia Service Medal with two service stars
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two service stars
Iraq Campaign Medal with two service stars
Bronze star
 Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korea Defense Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 7
Bronze star
 NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia with service star
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Michael E. Kurilla.

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Government.

  1. ^ "Register of Graduates and Former Cadets of the United States Military Academy". 1991.
  2. ^ "PN1606 — Lt. Gen. Michael E. Kurilla — Army, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". U.S. Congress. 5 January 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Myers, Meghan (7 January 2021). "XVIII Airborne Corps commander set to be next CENTCOM boss". Military Times.
  4. ^ "General Officer Announcement". U.S. Department of Defense. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Webcast: CENTCOM Welcomes New Commander". DVIDS. 1 April 2022.
  6. ^ a b c "Lieutenant General Michael E. Kurilla – General Officer Management Office". www.gomo.army.mil.
  7. ^ a b c "XVIII Airborne Corps hosts change of command, welcomes familiar Fort Bragg leader to the helm". www.army.mil.
  8. ^ a b c "Chief of Staff, Major General Michael "Erik" Kurilla". United States Central Command. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  9. ^ a b c "Battling terrorism in Afghanistan from over-the-horizon is 'extremely difficult,' says nominee to command CENTCOM". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  10. ^ Cooper, Helene (7 January 2022). "Biden Nominates Combat Leader to Head Central Command" – via NYTimes.com.
  11. ^ Yon, Michael (31 August 2005). "Gates of Fire". Michael Yon Online. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  12. ^ "Biden's pick to lead military in Middle East says U.S. has a 'moral obligation' to help Afghans left behind". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
  13. ^ Vinograd, Cassandra, and Eric Schmitt (11 April 2024). "U.S. Sends a Top General to Israel Amid Fears of Iranian Strikes". New York Times. Retrieved 12 April 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ^ https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/gallant-meets-visiting-centcom-chief-kurilla-on-middle-east-situation-cooperation/
  15. ^ Bath, Alison (1 November 2024). "4-star Army general overseeing US operations in Middle East investigated over shove". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
  16. ^ "Israeli Defense Forces Biography of CENTCOM Commander, General Kurilla" (PDF).
[edit]
Military offices
Preceded by Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division
2016–2018 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief of Staff of the United States Central Command
2018–2019 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne Corps
2019–2022 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of United States Central Command
2022–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Commandant of the Coast Guard Order of precedence of the United States
as Commander of U.S. Central Command 		Succeeded byas Commander of U.S. European Command
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