Brian Spencer Eifler is a United States Army Major General currently serving as the commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division and the Deputy Commander of Alaskan Command. He assumed command of United States Army Alaska (USARAK) on 21 July 2021. On 6 June 2022 , USARAK reflagged to 11th Airborne Division as part of the implementation of the Army's arctic strategy.[1][2] He has also served as the Deputy Commander for Operations of the 10th Mountain Division and Operation Inherent Resolve from July 2017 to November 2018.[3][2]

Brian S. Eifler
Born (1968-06-30) June 30, 1968 (age 55)
Farmington Hills, Michigan
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1990–Present
RankMajor General
Commands held11th Airborne Division
United States Army Alaska
3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division
Special Troops Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment
1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment
Battles/warsOperation Uphold Democracy
Operation Iraqi Freedom
War in Afghanistan
Operation Inherent Resolve
AwardsArmy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (4)
Bronze Star Medal (3)
Alma materCentral Michigan University (BA)
U.S. Army War College (MSS)

Military career edit

 
Eifler (middle left) with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (middle right)

In 1990, Eifler graduated from Central Michigan University with a bachelor's degree in Interpersonal and Public Communication, gaining a commission as an infantry officer via the Reserve Officer's Training Corps program.[4] As part of his professional military education, he went on to graduate from the United States Army Command and General Staff College and received a master of strategic studies degree from the United States Army War College in 2012.[5]

As the commanding general of 11th Airborne Division and the Deputy Commander of Alaskan Command, Eifler plays a vital role in the implementation of the United States Arctic Strategy.[6][7][8]

Promotions edit

Rank Date Confirmed by US Senate
Major General 25 February 2021[9]
Brigadier General 31 October 2017[10]
Colonel 3 December 2009[11]
Lieutenant Colonel 30 September 2005[12]
Major 6 October 2000[13]

Recent Assignments edit

Eifler's recent assignments include Commanding General, United States Army Alaska; Chief, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Army; Deputy Commanding General (Operations), 10th Mountain Division and Operation Inherent Resolve[3]

Awards and decorations edit

[14][15]

  Combat Infantryman Badge
  Expert Infantryman Badge
  Ranger tab
  Master Parachutist Badge
  Pathfinder Badge
  Army Staff Identification Badge
  75th Ranger Regiment CSIB
Royal Thai Army Parachutist Badge
  Army Distinguished Service Medal
  Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with three bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Bronze Star Medal with two bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Meritorious Service Medal with two bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
      Army Commendation Medal with V device and three bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Achievement Medal with two bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
  Presidential Unit Citation
Joint Meritorious Unit Award one bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
|Valorous Unit Award one bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
  Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation
National Defense Service Medal w/ one bronze service star
  Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
  Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars
  Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
  Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
  Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
  Korea Defense Service Medal
  Humanitarian Service Medal
  Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
  Army Service Ribbon
   Overseas Service Ribbon with a bronze award numeral 5

References edit

  1. ^ "Army Reactivates 11th Airborne Division in Alaska". www.nationaldefensemagazine.org. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  2. ^ a b staff, Army Times (2021-07-19). "Army Alaska gets new two-star commander". Army Times. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  3. ^ a b "Major General Brian S. Eifler - General Officer Management Office". www.gomo.army.mil. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  4. ^ "Military Science and Leadership Alumni by Year | Military Science and Leadership". CMichSitefinity. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  5. ^ "Tribute to Major General Brian S. Eifler – Congressional Record" (PDF). 15 June 2021.
  6. ^ South, Todd (2021-12-09). "Army sketches out plan for an Arctic brigade combat team". Army Times. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  7. ^ "Army announces release of Arctic Strategy". www.army.mil. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  8. ^ Eifler, Brian (2021-10-28). "THE ARCTIC COLD WAR: COMPETITION AND DETERRENCE AT OUR NORTHERN DOORSTEP". War Room - U.S. Army War College. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  9. ^ PN43 - 24 nominees for Army, 117th Congress (2021-2022), PN43, 117th Cong. (2021), http://www.congress.gov/ .
  10. ^ PN1116-1 - 41 nominees for Army, 115th Congress (2017-2018), PN1116-1, 115th Cong. (2017), http://www.congress.gov/ .
  11. ^ PN1175 - 212 nominees for Army, 111th Congress (2009-2010), PN1175, 111th Cong. (2009), http://www.congress.gov/ .
  12. ^ PN888 - 882 nominees for Army, 109th Congress (2005-2006), PN888, 109th Cong. (2005), http://www.congress.gov/ .
  13. ^ "PN1247 - 1,747 nominees for Army, 106th Congress (1999-2000)." Congress.gov, Library of Congress, 6 October 2000, http://www.congress.gov/ .
  14. ^ "USARAK Commanding General". 2022-08-04. Archived from the original on 2022-08-04. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
  15. ^ 11th Airborne Division and U.S. Army Alaska, Leadership, MG Brian Eifler Official Portrait, last accessed 11 September 2022