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]
Michael E. Kurilla | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2022 | |
| Birth name | Michael Erik Kurilla |
| Nickname(s) | Gorilla |
| Born | 16 May 1966 California, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1988–present |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | United States Central Command XVIII Airborne Corps 82nd Airborne Division 75th Ranger Regiment 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal (4) Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star (5) Purple Heart (2) |
| Alma mater | |
Biography
editBorn 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
editGeneral Kurilla and his wife Mary Paige have two daughters. [citation needed]
Service positions
edit- 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
edit| 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 |
References
edit This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Government.
- ^ "Register of Graduates and Former Cadets of the United States Military Academy". 1991.
- ^ "PN1606 — Lt. Gen. Michael E. Kurilla — Army, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". U.S. Congress. 5 January 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ a b c Myers, Meghan (7 January 2021). "XVIII Airborne Corps commander set to be next CENTCOM boss". Military Times.
- ^ "General Officer Announcement". U.S. Department of Defense. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
- ^ "Webcast: CENTCOM Welcomes New Commander". DVIDS. 1 April 2022.
- ^ a b c "Lieutenant General Michael E. Kurilla – General Officer Management Office". www.gomo.army.mil.
- ^ a b c "XVIII Airborne Corps hosts change of command, welcomes familiar Fort Bragg leader to the helm". www.army.mil.
- ^ a b c "Chief of Staff, Major General Michael "Erik" Kurilla". United States Central Command. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Cooper, Helene (7 January 2022). "Biden Nominates Combat Leader to Head Central Command" – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ Yon, Michael (31 August 2005). "Gates of Fire". Michael Yon Online. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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) - ^ https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/gallant-meets-visiting-centcom-chief-kurilla-on-middle-east-situation-cooperation/
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Israeli Defense Forces Biography of CENTCOM Commander, General Kurilla" (PDF).