Michael Kurilla Explained

Erik Kurilla
Nickname:Gorilla
Birth Name:Michael Erik Kurilla
Birth Date:16 May 1966
Birth Place:California, U.S.
Allegiance:United States
Branch:United States Army
Serviceyears:1988–present
Rank:General
Commands:United States Central Command
XVIII Airborne Corps
82nd Airborne Division
75th Ranger Regiment
1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment
Awards:Army Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Defense Superior Service Medal (4)
Legion of Merit (2)
Bronze Star (5)
Purple Heart (2)

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

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. 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[8] and the Gulf War, as well as operations in Haiti, Kosovo, and Bosnia.[9]

From 2004 to 2014, he was stationed in the geographic area of responsibility of the U.S. Central Command,[9] deploying to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria.[8] 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.[8] 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 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]

Personal life

General Michael Kurilla was injured by gunfire while serving as commander of the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry. General Kurilla and his wife Mary Paige have two daughters.

Service positions

Awards and 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
Army Presidential Unit Citation
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Valorous Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Commendation
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
Humanitarian Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 7
NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia with service star
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1991 . Register of Graduates and Former Cadets of the United States Military Academy .
  2. Web site: PN1606 — Lt. Gen. Michael E. Kurilla — Army, 117th Congress (2021-2022). 2022-01-05. 2021-02-19. U.S. Congress.
  3. Web site: Myers. Meghan. XVIII Airborne Corps commander set to be next CENTCOM boss. 2021-01-07. Military Times.
  4. Web site: General Officer Announcement. 2021-01-07. 2021-01-08. en-US. U.S. Department of Defense.
  5. Web site: Webcast: CENTCOM Welcomes New Commander. 2022-04-01. DVIDS.
  6. Web site: Lieutenant General Michael E. Kurilla – General Officer Management Office. www.gomo.army.mil.
  7. Web site: XVIII Airborne Corps hosts change of command, welcomes familiar Fort Bragg leader to the helm. www.army.mil.
  8. Web site: Battling terrorism in Afghanistan from over-the-horizon is 'extremely difficult,' says nominee to command CENTCOM. 2022-02-13. Stars and Stripes. en.
  9. Web site: Chief of Staff, Major General Michael "Erik" Kurilla. United States Central Command. 13 February 2022.
  10. Web site: Biden Nominates Combat Leader to Head Central Command. Helene. Cooper. January 7, 2022. NYTimes.com.
  11. Web site: Yon. Michael. Michael Yon. Gates of Fire. 2022-02-13. 2005-08-31. Michael Yon Online.
  12. News: Biden's pick to lead military in Middle East says U.S. has a 'moral obligation' to help Afghans left behind. en-US. Washington Post. 2022-02-13. 0190-8286.
  13. News: Vinograd . Cassandra, and Eric Schmitt . U.S. Sends a Top General to Israel Amid Fears of Iranian Strikes . 12 April 2024 . New York Times . New York Times . April 11, 2024.
  14. Web site: Israeli Defense Forces Biography of CENTCOM Commander, General Kurilla .