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Michael Kurilla

Updated: Wikipedia source

Michael Kurilla

Michael Erik Kurilla (born 16 May 1966) is a retired United States Army general who served as the 15th commander of United States Central Command from 2022 to 2025. He previously served as the commanding general of XVIII Airborne Corps from 2019 to 2022 and before that as the chief of staff of Central Command from 2018 to 2019. Kurilla was born in California and raised in Minnesota. He was commissioned in 1988 upon graduating from the United States Military Academy and has served as an infantry officer in the United States Army. During his career he has been deployed during conflicts in Panama, Haiti, the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and his notable commands have included the 75th Ranger Regiment and the 82nd Airborne Division. Kurilla was awarded two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star with valor during the Iraq War.

Infobox

Birth name
Michael Erik Kurilla
Nickname
Gorilla
Born
(1966-05-16) 16 May 1966 (age 59)California, U.S.
Allegiance
United States
Branch
United States Army
Years of service
1988–2025
Rank
General
Commands
United States Central CommandXVIII Airborne Corps82nd Airborne Division75th Ranger Regiment2nd Ranger Battalion1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment
Battles / wars
mw- Operation Just CauseGulf WarOperation Uphold DemocracyIraq WarWar in AfghanistanOperation Inherent ResolveOperation Prosperity GuardianOperation Midnight Hammer
Awards
Army Distinguished Service Medal (2)Defense Superior Service Medal (4)Legion of Merit (2)Bronze Star (5)Purple Heart (2)
Alma mater
United States Military Academy (BS)Regis University (MBA)National War College (MS)
Service years
1988–2025

Tables

Unit awards
Unit awards
Personal decorations
Unit awards
Campaign and service medals
Campaign and service medals
Personal decorations
Campaign and service medals
Service, training, and marksmanship awards
Service, training, and marksmanship awards
Personal decorations
Service, training, and marksmanship awards
Foreign awards
Foreign awards
Personal decorations
Foreign awards
Personal decorations
Army Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Defense Superior Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star Medal with "V" device and four oak leaf clusters
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
Unit awards
Army Presidential Unit Citation
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Valorous Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Campaign and service medals
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
Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal with service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korea Defense Service Medal
Service, training, and marksmanship awards
Humanitarian Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 7
Foreign awards
NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia with service star
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Nishan-e-Imtiaz (military) (Pakistan)
Other accoutrements
Combat Infantryman Badge with Star (denoting 2nd award)
Ranger tab
Master 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
· External links
Preceded byRichard D. Clarke
Preceded byRichard D. Clarke
Military offices
Preceded byRichard D. Clarke
Military offices
Commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment 2009–2011
Military offices
Succeeded byMark W. Odom
Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division 2016–2018
Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division 2016–2018
Military offices
Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division 2016–2018
Military offices
Succeeded byJames Mingus
Preceded byPaul LaCamera
Preceded byPaul LaCamera
Military offices
Preceded byPaul LaCamera
Military offices
Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne Corps 2019–2022
Military offices
Succeeded byChris Donahue
Preceded byKenneth F. McKenzie Jr.
Preceded byKenneth F. McKenzie Jr.
Military offices
Preceded byKenneth F. McKenzie Jr.
Military offices
Commander of United States Central Command 2022–2025
Military offices
Succeeded byCharles B. Cooper II
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Military offices
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byKevin E. Lundayas acting Commandant of the Coast Guard
Preceded byKevin E. Lundayas acting Commandant of the Coast Guard
Military offices
Preceded byKevin E. Lundayas acting Commandant of the Coast Guard
Military offices
Order of precedence of the United Statesas Commander of U.S. Central Command
Military offices
Succeeded byMichael E. Langleyas Commander of U.S. Africa Command
Military offices
Preceded byRichard D. Clarke
Commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment 2009–2011
Succeeded byMark W. Odom
Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division 2016–2018
Succeeded byJames Mingus
Preceded byPaul LaCamera
Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne Corps 2019–2022
Succeeded byChris Donahue
Preceded byKenneth F. McKenzie Jr.
Commander of United States Central Command 2022–2025
Succeeded byCharles B. Cooper II
order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byKevin E. Lundayas acting Commandant of the Coast Guard
Order of precedence of the United Statesas Commander of U.S. Central Command
Succeeded byMichael E. Langleyas Commander of U.S. Africa Command

References

  1. The Seattle Times
    https://www.seattletimes.com/news/storied-iraq-soldier-recuperating/
  2. "Register of Graduates and Former Cadets of the United States Military Academy"
    https://books.google.com/books?id=xXreAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Michael+Erik+Kurilla%22
  3. United States Central Command
    https://www.centcom.mil/ABOUT-US/LEADERSHIP/Bio-Article-View/Article/2982570/commander-general-michael-e-kurilla/
  4. www.army.mil
    https://www.army.mil/article/228288/xviii_airborne_corps_hosts_change_of_command_welcomes_familiar_fort_bragg_leader_to_the_helm
  5. Stars and Stripes
    https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2022-02-08/senate-centcom-general-kurilla-army-afghanistan-iran-isis-4841105.html
  6. Military Times
    https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2022/01/06/xviii-airborne-corps-commander-set-to-be-next-centcom-boss/
  7. "Biden Nominates Combat Leader to Head Central Command"
    https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/07/us/politics/biden-military-kurilla.html
  8. Michael Yon Online
    https://michaelyon.com/dispatches/gates-of-fire/
  9. www.gomo.army.mil
    https://www.gomo.army.mil/public/Biography/usa-8164/michaele-kurilla
  10. Washington Post
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2022/02/08/michael-kurilla-centcom/
  11. U.S. Congress
    https://www.congress.gov/nomination/117th-congress/1606?s=1&r=46
  12. U.S. Department of Defense
    https://web.archive.org/web/20220107220223/https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2892890/general-officer-announcement/
  13. DVIDS
    https://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/28237
  14. Fox News
    https://www.foxnews.com/politics/kurilla-warfare-meet-general-leading-us-military-forces-middle-east-amid-iran-conflict
  15. New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/11/world/middleeast/israel-iran-hamas-strikes.html
  16. https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/gallant-meets-visiting-centcom-chief-kurilla-on-middle-east-situation-coope
    https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/gallant-meets-visiting-centcom-chief-kurilla-on-middle-east-situation-cooperation/
  17. Stars and Stripes
    https://www.stripes.com/branches/army/2024-11-01/kurilla-centcom-general-investigation-15700358.html
  18. New York Times
    https://web.archive.org/web/20250227141331/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/23/us/politics/trump-dan-caine-joint-chiefs-chairman.html
  19. The Hill
    https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5342574-centcom-commander-gave-trump-wide-range-of-military-options-if-iran-talks-fail/
  20. The Telegraph
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/politics/2025/06/19/general-michael-kurilla-trump-hegseth-iran/
  21. Politico
    https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/17/hegseth-erik-kurilla-iran-pentagon-response-00411007
  22. United States Central Command
    https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/PRESS-RELEASES/Press-Release-View/Article/4270519/us-central-command-bids-farewell-to-gen-kurilla-welcomes-new-leadership/
  23. "Israeli Defense Forces Biography of CENTCOM Commander, General Kurilla"
    https://cdn-media.web-view.net/i/ww3xwccasc/Biography_-_CENTCOM_Commander__General_Michael__Erik__Kurilla.pdf
  24. The Express Tribune
    https://tribune.com.pk/story/2557993/president-zardari-confers-nishan-e-imtiaz-on-uscentcom-chief-gen-kurilla
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