# Michael Kurilla

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

## 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 master's 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. During his early career Kurilla participated in the United States invasion of Panama and in the Gulf War, as well as operations in Haiti, Kosovo, and Bosnia.
From 2004 to 2014, he was stationed in the geographic area of responsibility of the U.S. Central Command, deploying to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. In 2005, he deployed to Iraq as the commander of 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. 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." He is a former commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment. From 2012 to 2014 he was the Assistant Commanding General of Joint Special Operations Command. 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. He assumed command of the XVIII Airborne Corps in October 2019.
In 2022, he deployed to Germany to oversee U.S. troop deployments in response to the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis.
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. In September he again visited Israel for consultations with defence minister Yoav Gallant.
As of November 2024, Kurilla was under investigation after shoving an airman upon being asked to take his seat and buckle up for his safety during flight to Israel.

## Personal life

Kurilla and his wife Mary Paige have two daughters.

## Service positions

* 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

## Awards and decorations

* 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
* 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)