Thomas G. Smith ’01
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Army   Brig. Gen.

San Antonio, TX

Brig. Gen. Thomas G. Smith was born June 24, 1929. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a Masters degree in Educational Human Resources Development.





His military service is as follows:

GENERAL OFFICER, UNITED STATES ARMY (1979 -1981). Assigned as the Deputy Commanding General of the United States Army Engineer Training Center, located at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. This installation of 31,000 persons, is the tenth largest community in the State of Missouri. It graduated 45,000 trainees per year. Personnel were trained in 16 military occupational specialties, such as dozer, crane, grader, and other heavy equipment operators. Annual operating budget was 135 million dollars. Assisted the Commanding General in overall operation of the installation with a primary focus on individual training.

GENERAL OFFICER (1976-1979). Assigned as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, Headquarters Allied Forces Central Europe, stationed in The Netherlands. Responsible for the planning and coordinating the procurement, transport and long term storage of such war materials as ammunition, combat equipment and petroleum for an international military force consisting of approximately three million soldiers, airmen and sailors of seven North Atlantic Treaty Nations. Served as Chairman of the Central European Pipeline Office (CEPO) which exercised managerial, operating and planning control of the international NATO pipeline system which consisted of over 6,000 kilometers: annual budget exceeded 85 million dollars. Prepared the overall compilation and priority ranking of five year projections of infrastructure programs for all of Central Europe.

FIELD GRADE OFFICER, UNITED STATES ARMY (1975 -1976). Team Chief of Headquarters Department of the Army Manpower/Management Survey Team. Traveled worldwide to all major Army Command Headquarters and conducted an in depth analysis of their manpower and staffing requirements.

Concurrently, examined their overall management policies and made recommendations for organizational restructuring when deemed appropriate to the Inspector General of the Army. Planned the reorganization of the National War College and The Industrial College of the Armed Forces into The National Defense University structure, which was briefed to and approved by the Secretary of Defense.

COMMANDING OFFICER OF ARMORED BRIGADE (1973-1974). Commanded a 7,000 man combat brigade for 18 months at Fort Hood, Texas. During that period, planned and executed the air lift of the entire brigade from Fort Hood, to Ramstein AFB in West Germany. At the completion on six weeks of open field maneuvers deployed the brigade back to Fort Hood. The primary mission of the Brigade was to achieve and maintain a state of combat readiness for deployment anywhere in the world, the exercise to Europe demonstrated that level of readiness.

FIELD GRADE OFFICER SERVICE ONTHE DEPARTMENT OFTHE ARMY GENERAL STAFF (1966-1969). Primary duty was as a staff management analyst and briefing officer in the Office of the Chief of Staff of the United States Army. Duties consisted of reducing lengthy staff papers to executive summaries and then brief the Army Chief of Staff and Vice Chief of Staff on the papers and secured a decision from them. Chiefs of Staff worked for were General Harold K. Johnston and General William C. Westmoreland. The Vice Chief of Staff was General Creighton W. Abrams.

Served as the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion of the 34th Armor Regiment in Vietnam in 1969 for a period of six months subsequently assigned as the Deputy Operations Officer of the II Field Force. He is a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars.



Brig. Gen. Thomas G. Smith is retired from his military career and currently resides in San Antonio, TX.



In the civilian sector, Brig. Gen. Smith’s served on the Public Utility Commission of Texas from 1982-83 setting rates and service standards for all telephone utilities in the State of Texas, and for privately or Investor owned electric, water and sewer utilities operating In the unincorporated areas.

He was Professor and Academic Director at Webster University from l985 to 2007. There, he instructed graduate level courses. During the period of employment as a teacher (22 years) he taught approximately 4,500 graduate students, many were active duty military and veterans.

He was also appointed to the Fund for Veterans Assistance Committee, Texas Veterans Commission in 2008, where he still serves.





CIVIL EDUCATION:

B. A. from Southern Illinois University

B.A. from University of Maryland

B.A. from Saint Mary's University

M.B.A. from Syracuse University

M.S.I.A. George Washington University

M.S. in Educational Human Resources Development from Texas A&M University



MILITARY EDUCATION (All Graduates):

Engineer Officer Basic Course

Armor Officer Career Course

Army Command and General Staff College

National War College





MILITARY AWARDS AND DECORATIONS: Distinguished Service Medal

Defense Superior Service Medal, Silver Star Medal,

Legion of Merit (w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Soldier's Medal,

Bronze Star Medal (w/"V" and3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Air Medal (w/10 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal {w/5 Oak Leaf Clusters), Purple Heart Medal, Combat Infantry Badge

Scott L. Efflandt ’98
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Army   Brig. Gen.

Fort Riley, KS

Brigadier General Scott L. Efflandt currently serves as the Deputy Division Commander for Maneuver in the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. He received an Army commission in 1985 from Marion Military Institute as a Distinguished Military Graduate. For the next two years he served as an Infantry Platoon Leader with the 3rd Battalion, 130th Infantry in the Illinois Army National Guard. Upon receipt of a Regular Army commission in 1987, Scott assessed to active duty as an Armor Officer. Over the next 30 years BG Efflandt served in operational assignment in a variety of armor and cavalry organizations in Europe, Iraq, Kuwait and several locations across the United States.

Institutional and enterprise assignments held by BG Efflandt include, faculty at the United States Military Academy in the department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership; faculty of Joint Operations at the Naval War College in Newport, R.I.; Army office of Congressional Liaison, Washington, D.C.; and executive officer to the commanders of both TRADOC and FORSCOM.

BG Efflandt’s education includes, an associate degree from Marion Military Institute; a bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice from Southern Illinois University; a master’s degree in sociology from Texas A&M University; a master’s degree in strategic studies from the Army War College; and continued graduate study at Salve Regina University. His military education began with the Armor Officer Basic Course and continued through the Army War College. His membership and affiliations include, Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society fellow, Association of the United States Army, Military Officers Association of America, American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Scott Efflandt remains happily married to his wife of 30 years, the former Ann Pycz of Posen, Ill. Scott’s awards and decorations include, Legion of Merit with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star with two OLC, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four OLC, Meritorious Unit Citation, Naval Unit Citation, Army Commendation Medal with three OLC, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal with star, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Parachutists Badge and Eagle Scout.

Winifred N. Carroll ’97
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Air Force   Maj. Gen

San Antonio, TX

Maj. Gen. Winfred N. "Chuck" Carroll is mobilization assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Installations and Logistics, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C. He supports the DCS/IL in managing and integrating Air Force civil engineering and services; improving supply, transportation and

equipment maintenance policy; preparing budget estimates reflecting enhancements to both productivity and combat readiness; and measuring the logistics performance of subordinate commands against Air Force standards. He is responsible for the overall policy guidance and management of the DCS/IL individual mobilization augmentee program.



The general was commissioned in the Air Force in 1963 through the ROTC program at Georgia Institute of Technology. Upon completion of pilot training, he served as an instructor pilot to students from Vietnam and 22 other countries. He spent two years in South Korea in the Air Force Military Assistance Advisory Group as the air training adviser to the Republic of Korea air force. After leaving active duty, he flew as aircraft commander in KC-97L and KC-135 aircraft with the Ohio Air National Guard at Rickenbacker Air Force Base, Ohio. Since 1984, he has been in the Air Force Reserve. Prior to his current assignment, he was mobilization assistant to the Director of Logistics, Air Combat Command. He is a command pilot with more than 3,500 flying hours.

Barrye Price ’94
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Army   Brig. Gen.

Ft. Knox, KY

Brigadier General Barrye L. Price is the Deputy Commanding Officer of the United States Army Cadet Command, a geographically dispersed command comprised of Junior and Senior ROTC Detachments throughout the United States and within U.S. Territories.

Brig. Gen. Price is a 1985 Distinguished Military Graduate of the University of Houston's College of Business Administration. He earned a Master of Arts Degree in History in 1994 from Texas A&M University and in 1997 he became the first African-American to obtain a doctorate from the Department of History in the 134-year history of Texas A&M University. He also earned a Master of Science Degree in National Security Strategy from the National Defense University in 2004.

Brig. Gen. Price's previous assignments include: Executive Officer of the 5th Personnel Services Company, Commander of the 5th Replacement Company, Chief of Personnel/Adjutant General Plans and Operations for the 5th Infantry Division, Fort Polk, La.; Regimental Adjutant for the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment I in both Doha, Kuwait, and Fulda, Germany; Assistant Professor of Military History at the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.; White House Fellow and Special Assistant to the Director, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Washington, D.C.; Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff, Personnel for the Army Materiel Command, Fort Belvoir, Va.; and most recently as the Director, J1, United States Forces-Iraq.

Brig. Gen. Price served on the President and First Lady's Task Force on "Raising Responsible and Resourceful Teenagers" in 2000; served on President Clinton's "Mississippi Delta Task Force" which sought to revitalize the 207-county, seven-state region that comprises the Mississippi River flood plain from 1999 through 2000.

Brig. Gen. Price is the benefactor of the Elaine Yvonne Cook-Price Memorial Scholarship within the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston. He has served as a Council-member at-large with the Houston Alumni Organization. He was selected as one of 20 American's for the U.S.-Japan Foundation's Young Leaders Fellowship, and he was the 1997 winner of the Arter-Darby Military Writing Award from the Army's Command and General Staff College. He is a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the Society of Military History, the Society of Historians of American Foreign Relations, and a is a life-member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Brig. Gen. Price's military awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, five Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Commendation Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Medal, Outstanding Volunteer Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Staff Badge, and the Airborne and Air Assault Badges.

Patrick R. Michaelis ’93
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Army   Brig. Gen.

Fort Knox, KY

Brig. Gen. Patrick R. Michaelis is a Distinguished Military Graduate from Texas A&M University and was commissioned a second lieutenant of Armor in 1993. He currently serves as the Commanding General at Fort Jackson.

Previous assignments include Deputy Commanding Officer (Maneuver) for the 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas, and Commander, Mission Command Element, Operation Atlantic Resolve, United States Army Europe; Executive Officer to the Under Secretary of the Army; Commander of the 2d Recruiting Brigade, United States Army Recruiting Command (USAREC); G3 (operations officer) for the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas, and as the Chief of Staff to the commander of the Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command – Iraq (CJFLCC-I) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in Baghdad, Iraq; Commander of the 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 2-2 Stryker Brigade, where he had operational responsibility for Kandahar City, Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom 12-13; Special Assistant to the Vice Chief of Staff, Army; Operations Officer for the 1st Ironhorse Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas during Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08; Executive Officer and Operations Officer for 1st Squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry; Battle Command and Chief Knowledge Officer for the 1st Cavalry Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom II; and as the Deputy Commanding General (Operations) for the United States Recruiting Command.

He received a B.A. in history from Texas A&M University, a Masters in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College, specializing in strategic planning.

His military training and education also includes the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Course, Scout Platoon Leaders Course, Cavalry Leaders Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Command and General Staff College, Airborne, Air Assault, and Ranger School.

He has served in various other command and staff positions, to include Assistant Professor, United States Military Academy at West Point, New York; Ground Troop and Headquarters Troop Commander for the 1st Squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry at Fort Hood, Texas; Tank and Scout Platoon leader, Troop Executive Officer, and Assistant Operations Officer, 1st Squadron, 4th U.S. Cavalry, Schweinfurt, Germany and Operation Joint Endeavor.

He is married to the former Bonnie Elizabeth Tate of Weaver, Alabama.

Adam L. Chalkley ’92
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Marine Corps   Colonel

Austin, AR

Colonel Adam Chalkley was commissioned in May 1993 after graduating from Texas A&M University. He was designated as a Motor Transport Officer after completion of all training and later as a Logistics Officer upon merging of the Military Occupational Specialties. He has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general in 2020.



His operational assignments include: Platoon Commander, Detachment Commander, Assistant Operations Officer, and Company Commander, 7th Motor Transport Battalion, Camp Pendleton, CA; Assistant Logistics Officer, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), Okinawa, Japan; Aide de Camp, 3D Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan (Operation ENDURING FREEDOM - PHILIPPINES); Assistant Operations Officer, MARCENT Coordination Element and Liaison to Combined Forces Land Component Command (Operation IRAQI FREEDOM); Officer in Charge, MAGTF Deployment and Distribution Operations Center, I MEF (FWD), Al Anbar Province, Iraq (Operation IRAQI FREEDOM); G-4 Current Operations Officer, Marine Expeditionary Brigade – Afghanistan, Helmand Province, Afghanistan (Operation ENDURING FREEDOM); Commanding Officer, Combat Logistics Battalion 4, Okinawa, Japan (Operation ENDURING FREEDOM); Commanding Officer, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, Camp Lejeune, NC; Commanding Officer, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Africa (Operation NEW NORMAL, Operations in Support of Special Operations Forces, Operations in Support of Coalition Partners); Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3 and Chief of Staff, 2D Marine Logistics Group, Camp Lejeune, NC.



His Supporting Establishment assignments include service as Series Commander, Company Executive Officer, and Company Commander, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA and Commanding Officer, Recruiting Station Oklahoma City.



Col. Chalkley completed a joint duty assignment as Chief of Staff and Operations Division Chief (ECJ4-3), Logistics Directorate, US European Command, Stuttgart, Germany.



His professional military education includes the following: The Basic School; US Army Combined Logistics Captains Career Course; US Marine Corps Command and Staff College (MA, Distinguished Graduate, Military Studies); Naval War College (MA with Distinction, National Security and Strategic Studies).

Michael L. Downs ’92
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Air Force   Maj. Gen.

San Angelo, TX

Maj. Gen. Downs has commanded the wing at Goodfellow AFB since June 2015. There, he oversees the Department of Defense Fire Academy and multi-service intelligence technical training. The wing is responsible for training more than 14,400 firefighting and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance warriors annually for the United States Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, other government agencies, and allied nations.



Maj. Gen. Downs received his Bachelor of Political Science from Texas A&M University in College Station in 1992. He was an ROTC Distinguished Graduate and pinned on the gold bars of a Second Lieutenant in December 1992. He has held assignments at the squadron, Air and Space Operations Center, Major Command, Air Staff, Joint Staff and Office of the Secretary of Defense levels.



Maj. Gen. Downs has participated in 18 joint and combined operations and exercises in Central Command, European Command, Pacific Command, and Southern Command area of responsibilities and served in an array of capacities ranging from Director of Intelligence for a Joint Special Operations Task Force in the Balkans to the chief developer of the Joint Integrated Prioritized Target List during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Thomas K. Hensley ’92
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Air Force   Brig. Gen.

Alexandria, VA

Brigadier General Thomas K. Hensley serves as the Director of Intelligence for the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, Southwest Asia. He leads intelligence operations and analysis for the CJTF-OIR Commander and staff in order to accomplish the military mission of defeating the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.



General Hensley received his commission in 1992 as a graduate of Texas A&M University. After completing Intelligence Officer Training in 1993, he was assigned as an Intelligence Officer at Aviano Air Base, Italy. General Hensley served in various operational intelligence assignments, including tours at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho; Nellis AFB, Nevada; and Peterson AFB, Colorado. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Weapons School, Joint Military Intelligence College, and the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, and has served as a Squadron, Group, and Wing Commander. General Hensley supported contingency operations during operations SOUTHERN WATCH and ENDURING FREEDOM. Prior to this assignment, General Hensley was the Senior Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.



MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Defense Superior Service Medal

Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster

Bronze Star Medal

Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters

Joint Service Commendation Medal

Air Force Commendation Medal

Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster

Craig McPike ’92
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Air Force   Brig. Gen.

Acworth, GA

Brig. Gen. Craig McPike is Commander of the 94th Airlift Wing, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, GA. The wing is equipped with eight C-130H3 cargo aircraft that support joint service and multi-national airlift missions both in the United States and around the world. The wing is comprised of nearly 2,000 personnel, and includes a headquarters element, three groups and 13 squadrons.

Additionally, Brig. Gen. McPike has command responsibility for the entire installation serving as host for over 12,000 tenant personnel and 13 tenant units, including 22nd Air Force, Air Force Plant 6 and Lockheed-Martin, the Georgia Army and Air National Guard and the Army, Navy and Marine Corps Reserve.

Brig. Gen. McPike is a graduate of Texas A&M University and was commissioned through ROTC in 1993. He entered active duty in 1994 and graduated from undergraduate pilot training at Laughlin AFB, Texas in 1995. He was then assigned to Kadena Air Base, Japan as a KC-135 pilot and has since been assigned to five different major commands at the unit, group, wing, MAJCOM, and Air Staff levels. His duties have included Chief of Standards and Evaluations; Chief of Group Training; Deputy Chief, Programs and Requirements and Operations Group Commander. Prior to his current position, the general was the Commander of the 916th Air Refueling Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.

Brig. Gen. McPike has flown combat and combat support missions in support of operations Southern Watch, Allied Force and Freedom’s Sentinel. He is a command pilot with more than 3,700 flying hours in tactical, combat, educational, and test operations.

Roger Giraud ’91
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Army   Brig. Gen.

Fort Cavazos, TX

Brigadier General Roger S. Giraud is a Distinguished Military Graduate of Texas A&M University. He earned a B.S. in Biomedical Science and after an educational delay, a B.S. in Animal Science. He earned his Masters of Health Administration from Baylor University and a Masters of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.



Previous duty assignments include: Medical Platoon Leader, 1-12 CAV, 1CD, Fort Cavazos, TX; Executive Officer, C Company, 15th FSB, 1CD; S-2/3, 15th FSB, 1CD; S-4, Division Support Command, 1CD; Support Operations Maintenance Officer, 201st FSB, 1st 1ID; Commanding Officer, C Company, 201st FSB, 1ID at Camp Monteith, Kosovo, Operation Joint Guardian and Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany; Graduate Student, U.S. Army-Baylor University Graduate Program in Health Care Administration, Fort Sam Houston, TX; Health Care Administrative Resident, 121st GH, 18th Medical Command, Seoul, Korea; Chief, Clinical Support Division, 121st GH; Operations Officer and Small Group Instructor, AMEDD Captains’ Career Course, Fort Sam Houston, TX; Executive Officer, 421st MMB, Wiesbaden Army Airfield and deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Joint Base Balad, Iraq; Operations Staff Officer, HQDA, OTSG, Pentagon; Commanding Officer, 43rd Special Troops Battalion, 43rd Sustainment Brigade, Fort Carson, CO; Assistant Chief of Staff, Logistics, CJ4/G4, International Security Assistance Force Regional Command – South/4th Infantry Division and deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan; Chief, G-35 Plans Division, USAMEDCOM and HQDA, OTSG, Falls Church, VA; Executive Officer to The Surgeon General, HQDA OTSG and CG, USAMEDCOM, Pentagon, VA; Commanding Officer, 2d Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, Camp Humphreys, Korea; and Chief of Staff, 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-US Combined Division. His previous assignment was as the Commanding Officer, 1st Medical Brigade, Fort Cavazos, TX.



BG Giraud’s decorations include the Legion of Merit (2 OLC), Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (1 SLC), Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC), Expert Field Medical Badge, Parachutist Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge, German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold), Order of Saint Michael, Order of Saint Barbara, and Order of Military Medical Merit. BG Giraud was awarded the Surgeon General’s “A” Proficiency Designator for professional achievement in the Medical Service Corps.

BG Giraud currently resides in Fort Cavazos, TX

Edward "Ed" W. Thomas, Jr. ’90
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Air Force   Brig. Gen.

Montgomery, AL

Brig. Gen. Edward W. Thomas Jr. is the Commander of the Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education, Maxwell Air Force Base, Gunter Annex, Alabama. He is responsible for educating the Air Force’s enlisted force by overseeing professional military development, awarding college credit through the Community College of the Air Force, and providing upgrade training through the Air Force Career Development Academy. He is also responsible for the Air Force First Sergeant Academy and the Enlisted Heritage Research Institute.

General Thomas was commissioned in 1990 following his graduation from Texas A&M University. His staff assignments include serving as the Special Assistant for Public Affairs to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Director of Public Affairs for U.S. European Command, Director of Public Affairs for Pacific Air Forces, and Director of Current Operations for the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs. He commanded the 673rd Mission Support Group at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, and the 341st Mission Support Squadron at Malmstrom AFB, Mont. General Thomas also led the Air Force’s flagship publication, Airman Magazine and directed the NATO public affairs effort at Aviano Air Base, Italy, during the 1999 Kosovo air campaign. He holds a membership at the Royal College of Defense Studies in London, England, where he studied foreign relations in 2010 with senior and general officers from more than 40 nations.

He has received the following major awards and decorations: Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service medal, Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, NATO Medal, National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, Air Force Recognition Ribbon, among others.

Charles K. Aris ’88
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National Guard   Brig. Gen.

Waxahachie, TX

Colonel Charles "Chuck" Aris, the Assistant Division Commander of Support, was promoted to the rank of brigadier general in a ceremony on Sunday, Dec. 4, at Camp Mabry.



Maj. Gen. James K. "Red" Brown, the Deputy Commanding General — Reserve Component, United States Forces, promoted Aris to his one-star rank with his friends, family members and colleagues present.



During the ceremony, Brown, a former commanding general of the 36th Inf. Div., and Aris' wife of 26 years, Amy, pinned the new general's rank to the shoulders of his uniform. His son Matthew and daughter Kate presented him with a one-star general's flag, a traditional general officer's belt, and a desk placard. As per Texas tradition, Aris then gave bouquets of yellow roses to both his wife and his mother, Janice.



"Aris is one of those officers that we always knew was going to rise to the top," said Brown. "He and his family are the ultimate traditional National Guard family. As a civilian, Chuck is a very distinguished and a very successful attorney, who doesn't have to do this; but he chooses to do so as a service to this great state and this great nation."



Because of his dual military and civilian careers, several military dignitaries and civilian colleagues attended the ceremony, including Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols, the Adjutant General of the Texas Military Department, Maj. Gen. Lester Simpson, Commanding General of the 36th Infantry Division Commander, and fellow attorneys from his law firm. Aris, a resident of Waxahachie, Texas, is also a partner with the Dallas-based Byrne, Cardenas and Aris Law Firm, where he handles civil litigation.



"I want to say thank you to every senior leader, every mentor and every person in my life who has supported, trained, and guided me," said Aris. "But I need to say 'thank you' to my family, because without them, their love and their support, I would not be standing where I am today."



Aris will deploy to southern Afghanistan next year as the Commander of the Train, Advise and Assist Command -- South in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel.



"Its an honor to be selected for this [promotion and deployment]," said Aris. "I pledge to do my very best to make sure that we excel in this mission and continue the great heritage of the Texas Army National Guard."



His most recent assignments include serving as the acting Assistant Division Commander of Maneuver, division Chief of Staff, and Commander of both the 56th and 72nd Infantry Brigade Combat Teams. He served as a task force commander during a 2005 rotation to Kosovo, and deployed to Iraq in 2009 as an assistant chief of staff in operations.



In 1998, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree and commission from the Texas A&M University and was awarded as a Distinguished Military Graduate in the ROTC program. After serving on Active Duty in the Army, in 1993 he joined the Texas Army National Guard. Aris also holds a Master of Science from the Army War College and a Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law.



Aris’ awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Kosovo Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (with two service stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal.



The mission of the 36th Infantry Division is to provide ready and responsive forces that can deploy to conduct unified land operations in joint and coalition environments, in support of a geographical combatant commander. On order, the division provides defense support to civil authorities within the United States in support of state and federal agencies.

Dimitri Henry ’88
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Marine Corps   Brig. Gen.

Washington, D.C.

Colonel Dimiti Henry enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1981 and attained the rank of SSgt. After completion of the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection Training (BOOST) he was selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP) and graduated from Texas A&M University in 1988 and was commissioned a 2ndLt.



?

From May 1990 – May 1993, 2ndLt Henry served at 2d Radio Bn and deployed with 8th Marines (DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM), 26th MEU SOC (PROVIDE PROMISE), and was OIC of the II MEF Communications Center. In June 1993, 1stLt Henry attended Naval Postgraduate School, graduating with a Master of Science degree in Systems Engineering.



In 1995, Captain Henry was subsequently assigned to the Navy Information Warfare Activity at the National Security Agency. In December 1997 he reported to 15th MEU SOC serving as S2A and then S2. After two MEU SOC deployments Major Henry reported to Marine Corps Command and Staff College in August 2000.??From 2001-2004, Major Henry served as the Commanding Officer, Co H, Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion, San Antonio, TX. After command, Major Henry reported to I Marine Expeditionary Force G2 where he participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Deputy G2 and Intelligence Planner from August 2004-August 2006.



?From August 2006 – September 2008, Lieutenant Colonel Henry commanded 1st Radio Battalion and executed two deployments to Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. After command, he reported to the Naval War College (NWC) Newport, RI. After NWC he was assigned to Intelligence Department, HQMC, promoted to Colonel and took command of Marine Corps Intelligence Activity (MCIA) Quantico, VA in 2010.??From 2012-2015, Colonel Henry served at United States Central Command, Tampa FL, as the J2 Operations Division Chief. From 2015-2016, Colonel Henry served as the Executive Officer to the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). After DIA, Colonel Henry served as the Chief of Staff, Intelligence Department, HQMC from 2016-2017.



?In 2017, Colonel Henry was selected for Brigadier General. ??Colonel Henry’s personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Christopher F. Yancy ’88
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Air Force   Brig. Gen.

Brig. Gen. Christopher F. Yancy is the Mobilization Assistant to the Commander, Second Air Force, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. He is responsible for the development, oversight and direction of all operational aspects of Basic Military Training, initial skills training and advanced technical training for the Air Force enlisted force, non-rated operations and support officers. Second Air Force provides training in more than 265 Air Force specialties through 2,014 courses graduating 150,000 Airmen, soldiers, sailors, Marines and international students annually in diverse areas including aircraft maintenance, civil engineering, medical, cyber, avionics, security forces, space and missile operations/maintenance and multiple intelligence disciplines. The command includes training wings at Keesler AFB, Sheppard and Goodfellow AFB, Texas, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, a training group at Vandenberg AFB, California, and 103 operating locations around the world. Second Air Force also oversees all Air Force Airmen throughout the Joint Expeditionary Tasking/Individual Augmentee training pipeline at several Army training sites across the country.



General Yancy entered the Air Force in 1988 as a distinguished ROTC graduate from Texas A&M University. He served 11 years in the regular Air Force as an F-16 pilot in Air Combat Command and U.S. Air Forces Europe. He joined the Air Force Reserve in 1999 and has held various command positions at the squadron, group and wing level. His combat experience includes nine deployments in operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Southern Watch and Northern Watch; multiple operations in the former Yugoslavia; and Expeditionary Fighter Squadron Command in South Korea.



General Yancy is a command pilot with more than 3,900 flying hours, including 3,800 hours in the F-16 Block 30+, 40, 50 and 50+ as well as 15+ years of joint/partner programmatic, test and development experience in the F-35. In his previous assignment, he served as the Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Plans, Programs and Analyses for Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. Air Forces Africa, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Brenda J. Holman ’87
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Public Health Service   Rear Adm.

Rockville, MD

Brenda J. Holman, Regional Food and Drug Director in the Pacific Region of the Office of Regulatory Affairs, (ORA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was promoted to Rear Admiral (RADM) in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps on January 1, 2002.

With this promotion, Ms. Holman becomes the only officer of this rank within the entire FDA field organization, where she serves as one of only five regional Food and Drug Directors in the FDA.



As the Pacific Regional Food and Drug Director, RADM Holman is responsible for 580 employees across three FDA districts, two regional laboratories and the regional office. The region's organization includes the Financial Management Staff, the Information Technology Staff and the State Cooperative Program Staff as well as the Small Business Office.



RADM Holman's responsibility and authority span all FDA-regulated product and program areas within her region including pharmaceuticals, biological products, foods, veterinary products and medical devices, including radiological health products. Ms. Holman is also the Senior Advisor to the Veterinary Medicine Field Committee.



A native of Texas, RADM Holman holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from the University of Texas and a Master of Science degree in Food Science and Technology from Texas A&M University.



She began her FDA career in the Northeast Region as a Milk and Food Program Specialist, and then served as a Training Officer in the Office of Regulatory Affairs's State Training Branch in Rockville, Md. She later transferred to the Pacific Region as Assistant Regional Director responsible for the State Cooperative Programs. She was subsequently selected as District Director in Detroit District, then District Director in the New York District. She has served FDA as the Regional Food and Drug Director in the Pacific Region since September 2000. Her previous work experience includes seven years in state and local health departments in Texas.

Eric M. Smith ’87
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Marine Corps   Gen.

Quantico, VA

Lieutenant General Smith is from Plano, Texas and entered the Marine Corps in 1987 through the NROTC program at Texas A&M University. After completing The Basic School and Infantry Officer's Course, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines; participating in Operations Desert Shield / Desert Storm. Following a tour as an Officer Selection Officer, he attended the Amphibious Warfare School and then reported to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines for duty as Commanding Officer of Weapons and Echo Companies. During this tour he participated in Operation Assured Response in Monrovia, Liberia.



After a tour as a Marine Officer Instructor at Texas A&M University, he attended the United States Army Command and General Staff Course. His next assignment was as the Naval Section Chief at the U.S. Military Group in Caracas, Venezuela from 2001-2003.



From 2003 until 2006, he served in the 1st Marine Division as the Division Current Operations Officer; Executive Officer of Regimental Combat Team 1; Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion, 5th Marines; and Assistant Chief of Staff G3. During this period he completed two deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Subsequent assignments were as a student at the Marine Corps War College, Senior Aide to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Director of the Fires and Maneuver Integration Division at the Marine Corps Combat Development Command.



From 2009 until 2012 he served in the 2nd Marine Division as the Assistant Chief of Staff G3 and Commanding Officer of 8th Marine Regiment; completing a one-year deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.



In June of 2012 he reported for duty as the Director of Capability Development Directorate, and in May of 2013 he was assigned as the Senior Military Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of Defense.



From July through November of 2015 he commanded Marine Corps Forces Southern Command in Miami, Florida, and was then transferred to the Pentagon to serve as the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense.



From February 2017 until June 2017, he served as the Assistant Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations. From June 2017 until July 2018, he served as the Commanding General, 1st Marine Division. From August 2018 until June 2019, he served as the Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force.



On 13 June 2019, he assumed responsibility as the Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, and the Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.



On 15 July 2021, Lt. Gen. Smith was nominated for appointment to the rank of general, and assignment as assistant commandant of the Marine Corps.

Timothy S. Green ’86
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Air Force   Maj. Gen.

College Station, TX

Major General Timothy S. Green last tour was as the Air Force Director of Civil Engineers, Headquarters U.S. Air Force. He was responsible for installation support functions at a total of 182 Air Force bases worldwide with an annual budget over $11 billion. He was also responsible for organizing, training and equipping the 51,000-person engineering force along with providing policy and oversight for the planning, development, construction, maintenance, utilities and environmental quality of Air Force bases worldwide valued at more than $297 billion. This responsibility included housing, fire emergency services, explosive ordnance disposal and emergency management services.



General Green entered the Air Force in 1987 as a graduate of the ROTC program at Texas A&M and is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Texas.



His awards and decorations included the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star Medals. He retired as a Major General in 2018 and currently resides in College Station, TX, where he works at the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station.

Brian S. Hurley ’86
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Navy   Rear Adm

McKinney, TX

Rear Admiral Hurley, originally from Galveston, Texas, graduated from the Texas A&M University in 1987 and completed Navy Nuclear pipeline in May 1989.

Hurley's tour on board USS PINTADO (SSN 672) holding several division officer positions and completing WESTPAC deployment. In May 1992, reported to SUBMARINE SQUADRON SIX as the operations officer. In June 1995, he reported to USS ATLANTA (SSN 712) as Combat Systems Officer completing several Atlantic deployments, MED deployment and his submarine command qualifications. In August of 1998, he transferred to COMMANDER ATLANTIC FLEET as Executive Assistant to Plans and Policy. Also Lead in establishing contingency plans and supervising international relations. In May of 2000, Hurley transitioned to reserve status holding numerous positions supporting global fleet operations.He was assigned as the Commanding Officer of Emory S Land unit, Officer in Charge of Amphibious Construction Battalion detachment 111, Commanding Officer Submarine Learning Center San Diego and Commanding Officer NR Submarine Development Squadron Twelve. Commanding Officer NR Joint Staff- South. and Commanding Officer for NR Commander Navy Installation Command Headquarters Navy Yard.

Other reserve Staff assignments have been Deputy Chief of Staff at Navy Reserve Commander Seventh Fleet, Officer in Charge of Plans and Policy for Navy Reserve Commander Seventh Fleet. His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Navy Commendation Medal (4 awards), and Navy Achievement Medal (2 awards).

He is currently assigned as Deputy Commander Seventh Fleet. In his civilian life, he is the technical manager for Teradyne.

Charles "Chip" Rock ’86
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Navy   Rear Adm.

Rear Adm. Charles W. Rock '86 is a native of Upstate New York. He was commissioned in 1987 through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Program at Texas A&M University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering. Rock holds a master’s degree in national security strategy from the National War College.



His assignments at sea include combat information center officer aboard USS Mahlon S. Tisdale (FFG 27), electrical officer aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), operations officer on USS Cole (DDG 67) and USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), executive officer aboard USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), and commanding officer on High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV) 2.



Ashore he has served as command, control and communications plans officer, U.S. European Command; military assistant to the political advisor, U.S. Joint Forces Command; deputy executive assistant and flag secretary to the Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command and the Supreme Allied Commander, Transformation; division chief, Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J-5), the Joint Chiefs of Staff; chief of staff, Navy Installations Command; commander Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan; and as Commandant, Naval District Washington.



Rock took over leadership of the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic fleet, which encompasses 14 installations across 20 states, in July 2018. He previously served as the 90th commandant of the Naval District Washington since August 18, 2016.



His awards include Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, two awards of the Joint Commendation Medal, five awards of the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, two awards of the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal and numerous unit and campaign awards.

Patrick Hamilton ’85
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Army National Guard   Maj. Gen.

Round Rock, Texas

Brigadier General Patrick M. Hamilton currently serves as the Commander, Domestic Operations Task Force and the Director of the Joint Staff for the Texas Military Forces at Camp Mabry in Austin. His task force is comprised of over 4,000 soldiers and airmen and provides military support to civil authorities across the state of Texas, including border security operations, counterdrug operations, hurricanes, floods, wildfires and winter storms. He is also responsible for coordinating over 30 international military exchanges per year with the Czech Republic and Chile as part of the State Partnership Program. BG Hamilton earned his commission in 1985 from Texas A&M University and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in education, as well as a Master of Strategy and Security from the U.S. Army War College. He is a career Armored Cavalry officer and has commanded units at the platoon, company, battalion, regiment, and joint task force level.

His key staff assignments include Chief of Staff to the Adjutant General of Texas, Chief of Staff for the Texas Army National Guard, Director of Joint Operations, and the Army National Guard Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations (G3). His deployments include: Operation Joint Forge (Bosnia), Operations Noble Eagle, and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan).

His awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), the Army Commendation Medal (3 awards), the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and the NATO Medal for service in the Former Yugoslavia and Afghanistan, as well as many others.

BG Hamilton lives in Round Rock, Texas with his wife of 26 years, Beverly, and they have three children. BG Hamilton and his family attend Round Rock Presbyterian Church where he has previously served as an elder. He also serves as a member of the Round Rock YMCA’s Board of Directors, and is a member and former board member of the Round Rock Rotary Club.

Paul C. Hurley, Jr. ’85
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Army   Brig Gen

Dageu, Korea

Brigadier General Paul C. Hurley Jr. was commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program at Texas A&M University in July 1986. General Hurley’s civilian education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Technology from Texas A&M University, as well as Master’s Degrees in Industrial Engineering from the University of Tennessee and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Air Force Air University. His military education includes the Transportation Officer Basic and Advance Courses, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the United States Air Force War College.

General Hurley’s command experience includes Platoon Leader, 34th Transportation Company and

372nd Transportation Company, 29th Transportation Battalion, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Company Commander, 96th Transportation Company (HET), 180th Transportation Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas;

Battalion Commander, 47th Forward Support Battalion, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany and OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, Baghdad, Iraq; and Brigade Commander, National Training

Center Support Brigade, Fort Irwin, California.

His staff experience includes serving as Assistant Division Transportation Officer, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky and OPERATION DESERT STORM; BMO and S-1, 180th Transportation Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas; Division Transportation Officer, 82nd Airborne Division and Executive Officer, 307th Forward Support Battalion (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina; J-7 Joint Training Operations Analyst and then Executive Assistant to the Vice J-7, Joint Staff, Washington,D.C.; G-4, 1st Armored Division, Wiesbaden, Germany; G-4, I Corps, Fort Lewis, Washington; CJ4, Multinational Corps – Iraq with subsequent duty as the Deputy J-4, U.S. Forces – Iraq, OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM; Deputy Commanding General and Director of Operations, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.

General Hurley has been selected for reassignment as Commanding General, 19th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Eighth United States Army, Korea.

General Hurley’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (2 Oak Leaf Clusters);

Bronze Star Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters); Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster); Joint Service Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters); Joint Service Achievement Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Combat Action Badge; Ranger Tab; Senior Parachutist Badge; Air Assault Badge; and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.

Gregory J. Lengyel ’85
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Air Force   Maj. Gen.

New Braunfels, TX

Maj. Gen. Gregory J. Lengyel is the Deputy Commanding General of Joint Special Operations Command, which prepares assigned, attached, and augmentation forces, and when directed, conducts special operations against threats to protect the Homeland and U.S. interests abroad.



General Lengyel earned his commission in 1985 as a distinguished graduate of the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Texas A&M University. He is a career special operations pilot who has flown the UH-1H/N, MH-53J/M and CV-22B operationally, and has participated in contingency operations in Haiti, the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia and Libya. General Lengyel has commanded the 21st Special Operations Squadron, U.S. Central Command’s Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component, 1st Special Operations Wing, the U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Wing and Special Operations Command Europe. He has also completed joint staff tours at U.S. Special Operations Command, the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. General Lengyel is a graduate of the United States Marine Corps’ Air Weapons and Tactics Instructor program and is an Honorary Member of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Psychological Operations Regiment.



MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Defense Superior Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters

Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster

Bronze Star Medal

Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters

Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters

Aerial Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster

Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster

Joint Service Achievement Medal

Air Force Combat Action Medal

A. Bentley Nettles ’85
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Texas Army National Guard   Brig. Gen.

Bryan, TX

Adrian B. "Bentley" Nettles '85 is a retired brigadier general in the Texas Army National Guard with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nettles was general counsel for the Army Element Joint Force Headquarters of the Texas Army National Guard. Nettles, who serves on the Bryan Texas Utilities (BTU) board, is a lawyer in Bryan Texas, owner of Nettles Law PLLC.



The Bryan city council chose BG Bentley Nettles to be executive director of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC).



Nettles plans to continue chairing the local Brazos Valley Cares military non profit agency and participating on the BTU board of directors.

Merdith W. B. Temple ’85
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Army   Maj. Gen.

Richmond, VA

Maj. Gen. Meredith W.B. Temple graduated from Texas A&M University in 1985 with a Master's degree in Civil Engineering.

He retired as deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on August 31, 2012 after serving the nation for more than 37 years.

Temple served as deputy commanding general since January 2010. Among his accomplishments, Temple served the longest stint as acting commander in the history of USACE June 2011 to May 2012, between the retirement of Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp and the assumption of command byf Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick as the new commanding general and chief of engineers.

“I’m happy and proud to have served the Army and the nation with so many wonderful Soldiers and civilians and in so many different locations,” Temple said during his retirement ceremony.

Temple is a native of Richmond, Va., and a 1971 graduate of that city’s Thomas Jefferson High School. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1975, and was commissioned a lieutenant in the Engineer Branch of the U.S. Army. He also holds a master’s degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M University, and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College

Temple has had other assignments with USACE. He was deputy commanding general for Civil Works and Emergency Operations and deputy commanding general for Military and International Operations (both at USACE Headquarters in Washington, D.C.), commander of North Atlantic Division in New York City, and commander of Transatlantic Programs Center in Winchester, Va.

Other Army assignments include theater engineer (C7), Combined Joint Task Force Seven in Iraq; assistant chief of staff, Operations (G3), XVIII Airborne Corps; and he commanded the 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat) (Airborne Corps) and the 307th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Airborne).

Temple’s achievements and awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (two oak leaf clusters), the Bronze Star Medal (two oak leaf clusters), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Defense Meritorious Medal and other service and unit awards. He holds the Master Parachutist badge. In 2010, Engineering News Record magazine recognized Temple as one of its top 25 newsmakers.

Maj. Gen. Temple passed away in November 2020.

Samuel L. "Lee" Henry ’83
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Texas Army National Guard   Maj. Gen.

Austin, Texas

he Division Commander, 36th Infantry Division, Maj. Gen. Samuel “Lee” Henry was commissioned a Distinguished Military Graduate in the Infantry in 1983 from Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas.



After completing the Infantry Officer Basic Course and Ranger School, his first assignment was with 1st Battalion, 10th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized). In 1987, he entered the Texas Army National Guard. As a member of 71st Troop Command, he held consecutive positions as S3 Air, Commander of G Company, 143rd Infantry (Airborne), and Aide de Camp to the Commander, Troop Command. In 1994, he was assigned to the 36th Brigade, 49th Armored Division and served as Assistant S3, S4 Logistics Officer and graduated from the Command and General Staff College. In 1996, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry (Mechanized), and served as the S3 Operations Officer. In 1998, he transferred to 3rd Brigade, 49th Armored Division, and served as the S3 Operations Officer. While Commanding 2nd Battalion, 142nd Infantry from 2001 to 2004, he also served as the Deputy Chief, Operations III (US) Corps, Fort Hood, Texas while mobilized in support of OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE I and later as the Team Leader, Technology Evaluation & Integration Team for the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Task Force reporting to the ARMY G3 at Fort Belvoir, VA.



He was selected and attended the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. Having completed the War College in 2005, he was activated and selected to command TF Strike, OPERATION ENDURING MISSION III, Bosnia-Herzegovina. Henry commanded, 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team deployed in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, Iraq in 2008. In 2010 he was assigned as the Chief of Staff, 36th Infantry Division (Rear) during the



Division Headquarters’ deployment to Iraq in support of OPERATION NEW DAWN prior to his promotion and selection as the Assistant Division Commander – Maneuver, 36th Infantry Division. From June 2016-February 2017 he assumed Command of Train, Advise, Assist, Command – South (NATO) while deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, representing the first time a National Guard Division headquarters was deployed and responsible for a Regional Command in Afghanistan. On May 1, 2017, Henry assumed command of the 36th Infantry Division.



Henry’s education includes a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics, Master degrees in Business Administration and Strategic Studies, The Army Command General Staff Course and he is a graduate of the United States Army War College.



His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with Bronze oak leaf cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with a Silver and three Bronze oak leaf clusters, the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star device, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with two Stars, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary & Service Medals, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, the Parachutist’s Badge, the Ranger Tab and many other various Federal and State awards and decorations. He is a recipient of the Order of Saint Maurice “Centurion” by the National Infantry Association.



Henry is currently employed with SAP America, Inc. He and his wife Tricia live in Austin, Texas, and have three children and one grandchild.

Edward P. Yarish ’83
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Air Force   Maj. Gen

Centreville, VA

Maj. Gen. Edward P. Yarish is the mobilization assistant to the Commander, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He assists the commander in supporting the six AFMC Centers to develop and execute policies and programs that affect the delivery of war-winning capabilities, especially those necessary in meeting mobilization, emergency, and wartime operations.



General Yarish was commissioned through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1983. While on active duty, he was assigned to the Small ICBM Propulsion Division, Ballistic Missile Office, Norton AFB, California, managing the acquisition, development and test of several sub-systems. He joined the Air Force Reserve in 1990 with the 56th Aerial Port Squadron, March Air Reserve Base, Calif. As commander, the unit received the 1997 Reserve Unit of the Year Award.



General Yarish served on the Air Staff working transportation, congressional and strategic planning issues. He also served on the Joint Staff, and deployed as Current Operations Director for the Central Command Deployment and Distribution Operations Center in Southwest Asia, directing joint logistics for operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. In his civilian professional capacity, he is a program development director for a defense systems company based in northern Virginia.

George A. Brinegar ’82
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Army   Brig. Gen.

Waco, TX

Donald M. MacWillie ’82
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Army   Brig. Gen.

Fort Hood, TX

Brigadier General Donald M. MacWillie is a Killeen, Texas, native and a 1982 graduate of Texas A&M University. He possesses masters degrees in Administration from Central Michigan University and National Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. He currently leads the U.S. Army Operational Test Command.

A Master Army Aviator, MacWillie served in a variety of attack and assault helicopter units and combat aviation brigades. He commanded multiple companies, was the Operations Officer for 5/6 Cavalry Squadron as well as the Operations Officer for both the 229th Attack Helicopter Regiment and the 18th Aviation Brigade. He commanded 2-227th Aviation Battalion in the 1st Cavalry Division and the 4th Infantry Division’s Combat Aviation Brigade.

His operational deployments include duties as Assistant Squadron Operations Officer in OPERATION DESERT SHIELD/STORM, Company Commander in OPERATION PROVIDE COMFORT (Zakho, Iraq), Battalion Commander during OPERATION JOINT GUARD (Bosnia), and Brigade Commander in OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.

As a staff officer, MacWillie twice served in the Pentagon, first as the Scout Helicopter Systems Integrator, G3, Army Staff, and most recently as Chief, Joint Capabilities Division, J8, The Joint Staff.

His decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, two awards of the Bronze Star, two awards of the Air Medal, the Master Aviator Badge, and other various awards and badges.

Jennifer L. Napper ’82
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Army   Major General

Major General Jennifer L. Napper assumed command of the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command, Fort Huachuca, Sept. 22, 2010. She also holds the position of Deputy Commanding General for Network Operations, U.S. Army Cyber Command/2d U.S. Army.

Major General Napper’s military career began in 1980 when she was commissioned into the United

States Army National Guard. She entered active duty in the Signal Corps in 1983 after graduating from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She earned a Masters of Military Arts and Science from the Command and General Staff College in 1994 and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the Army War College in 2002. Her military education includes the Signal Corps Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Information Systems Staff Officer Course, the Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College.

Major General Napper commanded the 7th Signal Command (Theater) prior to her current assignment, and has served in a variety of command, troop and staff officer positions. Her previous command assignments include: Brigade Commander, 7th Signal Brigade, 5th Signal Command in Mannheim, Germany where she deployed her unit in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, and; Battalion Commander, 123rd Signal Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Other assignments include: Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force—Global Network Operations, providing direct support

to United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) for Global Information Grid (GIG) Network

Defense; Director for Communications Systems, J-6, United States Pacific Command; G-6, 3rd Infantry Division and Multi-National Division (North) in Bosnia-Herzegovina; Assignment Officer in Signal Branch, United States Total Army Personnel Command, Washington, D.C.; Battalion S-3 and Executive Officer, 59th Signal Battalion, Fort Richardson, Alaska; Command Signal Officer, 32nd Army Air Defense Command, Darmstadt, Germany; S-3 and Company Commander, 124th Signal Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado; Battalion Signal Officer, 1st Battalion, 80th Field Artillery, VII Corps, Aschaffenburg, Germany.

Major General Napper’s awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.

Charles E. Foster ’81
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Air National Guard   Brig. Gen.

Eagle River, AK

Brigadier General Charles E. Foster is Commander, 176th Wing, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. He is responsible to articulate a vision, set goals and objectives, develop leaders and provide a healthy and equitable environment in which 176th personnel may serve. He oversees recruiting, retention and training of more than 1,500 Air Guard members, as well as operational and maintenance control of twelve airlift C-130H, four rescue HC-130(H)N and six rescue HH-60G airframes for in-state and worldwide deployment. General Foster is responsible for the Alaska Air National Guard's first classic association, operating eight C-17 airlifters; and first active association, operating the wing's C-130H aircraft, both in partnership with the 3rd Wing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Additionally, as directed by the Base Realignment and Closure Act of 2005, General Foster is leading the closure of Kulis Air National Guard Base in Anchorage, Alaska.



General Foster received his commission in 1981, as a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Texas A&M University. Prior to appointment as the wing commander, General Foster served in numerous assignments to include flying, operations and support functions, including command positions at the squadron and group level. Since joining the Alaska Air National Guard in 1990, General Foster has deployed five times to combat zones, including tours in Operations Southern Watch, Northern Watch and Enduring Freedom. In 2003, he became the first 210th Rescue Squadron Commander to lead the squadron (composed of six HH-60G helicopters, four HC-130 rescue/tanker aircraft, and a pararescue team of 30 enlisted and eight combat rescue officers) in combat operations. As an HH-60 Pilot, Search and Rescue Director and Rescue Control Center Controller, he is personally credited with helping save more than 200 lives.