Leaders

Biography

Major General Phil Brooks received his commission in the Field Artillery Corps from Memphis State University ROTC in 1993. His military schooling includes the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Airborne School, Combined Arms Services Staff College, the Senior Service College Fellowship - Texas A&M, and Joint Forces Staff College. He earned a Master's Degree in Military Arts and Sciences from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS.

Major General Brooks has commanded at the Battery, Battalion, and Brigade levels. He has served on Battalion, Brigade, Division, and Corps Staffs. Major General Brooks has also served on the Army Staff. His past assignments include: 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery, 3d Infantry Division; 3d Battalion, 8th Calvary Regiment, 3d Brigade, 1st Calvary Division; 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment,3d Brigade, 1st Calvary Division; 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3d Infantry Division. Major General Brooks served as the Deputy Commanding General - Maneuver in the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas and in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve in Poland. In June 2020, Major General Brooks served as the Commandant of the United States Field Artillery School, Chief of the Field Artillery, and the Deputy Commanding General of Fort Sill. Major General Brooks, most recently, served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Gloucester, United Kingdom.

Major General Brooks combat and operational experience include deployments to Operation Joint Endeavor from 1995-1996; Operation Iraqi Freedom 2004-2005, 2006-2007, 2008-2009; Operation Enduring Freedom 2011-2012, 2013-2014; Operation Atlantic Resolve 2015, 2016, 2019.

His awards and decorations includes the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit Medal with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC), Bronze Star Medal with 3 Bronze OLC, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Army Staff Identification Badge, and multiple Overseas Campaign and Service Ribbons.

Biography

Command Sergeant Major Neil H. Sartain was born in Memphis, Tennessee on 16 July 1969. He graduated from Raleigh Egypt High School in 1987. CSM Sartain attended Austin Peay State University from 1988 to 1991, where he was awarded a full athletic scholarship for track and cross country. He enlisted in the United States Army in July 1993, and completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was the distinguished honor graduate of his class while attending advanced individual training at Fort Bliss, Texas and was awarded the MOS of 14J (Early Warning Systems Operator)

Command Sergeant Major Sartain served in various positions and assignments throughout his career such as the AAMDC Command Sergeant Major of the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, JBPH-H, Hawaii; the Brigade Command Sergeant Major of the 38th ADA BDE, Sagami Army Depot, Japan; the Battalion Command Sergeant Major of the 2-43 ADA BN, Fort Bliss, Texas; the G3 Sergeant Major of the 32d Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Fort Bliss, Texas; the Battalion S3 Operations SGM of the 3-43 ADA BN, Fort Bliss, Texas; the G3 Training NCOIC of the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Fort Shafter, Hawaii; the First Sergeant of the 1-7 ADA BN, Fort Bliss, Texas/Osan Air Base, South Korea/Fort Bragg, North Carolina; the Operations Center NCOIC of the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado; a Sentinel Radar Platoon Sergeant of the 2-44 ADA BN, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; an Air and Battle Management Operations Center NCOIC of the 1-44 ADA BN, Fort Hood, Texas; a Training Room NCOIC in 5-5 ADA BN, Camp Stanley/Camp Red Cloud, South Korea; a Sentinel Radar Squad Leader in 1-3 ADA BN, Fort Stewart, Georgia; an A2C2 Operations Sergeant and Sentinel Radar Team Chief, Sentinel Radar/Early Warning Systems Operator in 1-5 ADA BN, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Command Sergeant Major Sartain completed numerous military schools and courses including, the Nominative Leaders Course, Brigade CSM Pre-Command Course, Battalion CSM Pre-Command Course, United States Army Sergeant’s Major Academy (Class 63), First Sergeant’s Course, Battle Staff Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course, Primary Leadership Development Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, Unit Prevention Leader Course, and the Air Assault Course.

Command Sergeant Major Sartain’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (1-Oak Leave Cluster), Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (7-OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3-OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3-OLC), Good Conduct Medal (9th award), National Defense Medal (2 stars), Operation Iraqi Freedom Campaign Medal (2 stars), Korean Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (1 star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Medal (5th award), Overseas Service Ribbon (6th award), Army Service Ribbon, Drivers Badge (W), Meritorious Unit Citation, and the Air Assault Badge. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara.

CSM Sartain and his wife, are the proud parents of two daughters

Biography

Mr. Joe E. Gallagher was selected for the Senior Executive Service in November 2009. Mr. Joe Gallagher was appointed as the Deputy to the Commanding General, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill, effective 16 January 2013. In this capacity, Mr. Gallagher works in collaboration with and under the general direction of the Commanding General in the development and execution of organizational goals, objectives, and policies to ensure the Warfighting commanders receive world class Field Artillery and Air Defense Artillery Soldiers, equipment and organizations. Mr. Gallagher has full responsibility to direct the action of the Center's 3300 military and civilian personnel, technical and managerial efforts and the 130 million dollar annual operating budget. He provides direct supervision to the Center's 700 military and civilian workforce engaged in Force Management and the development of capabilities, concepts, doctrine, organizations, materiel, leader education, personnel, and facilities. Additionally, he serves as the Commander's principal advisor and the Center's senior expert in force management, joint capabilities integration and development system, requirements determination, and material acquisition.

Biography

Brigadier General David Pritchett currently serves as the Director of the Joint Staff for the Wyoming National Guard and the Deputy Commanding General, Army National Guard for Field Artillery to the Fires Center of Excellence. He commissioned as an Artillery Officer in 1991 from the Auburn University Army ROTC program and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration. His military education includes a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

BG Pritchett has commanded at the Battery, Battalion, and Brigade level. His combat and operational experience include deployments to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Hurricane Opal, Hurricane Ivan, Hurricane Katrina, and Deepwater Horizon.

BG Pritchett is married to the former Julie Kidd of Fort Payne, Alabama. He has three children Katelyn (25), Clay (20), and Anna Chris (17). He and Julie reside in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Biography

Coming Soon

Biography

Brigadier General Morgan was born and raised in South Eliot, Maine. Graduating from Norwich University in 1994, he received his commission in the Field Artillery and was first assigned as a Company Fire Support Officer in 1-9 Infantry (Manchu), 2nd Infantry Division at Camp Hovey, Korea. His next assignment was with 1-319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment (AFAR), 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he served as a Company Fire Support Officer in C/2-505 Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), and Battery Fire Direction Officer, Firing Battery Platoon Leader, and Battalion Fire Direction Officer in the Loyalty Battalion. In 2000, he graduated from the Field Artillery Captain’s Career Course and was assigned to 4-11 Field Artillery, 172nd Infantry Brigade (Separate).

During his tenure at Fort Wainwright, Alaska he served as the Assistant Operations Officer and Battalion Fire Support Officer for 1-17 Infantry. In 2002, he was reassigned to Task Force 1-501 PIR at Fort Richardson, Alaska and commanded Battery B, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment (PFAR), which included a combat deployment to Afghanistan as part of TF Geronimo in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Following Firing Battery Command, he was assigned to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas with duty at CAC-T in the Collective Training Division followed by resident attendance to the Command and General Staff College. From 2006-2009, he was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina with duty in G3 Future Operations, XVIII Airborne Corps to include a combat deployment with Multi-National Command-Iraq (MNC-I) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Upon redeployment, he was assigned to 1-321st AFAR, 18th Fires Brigade where he served as a Battalion Operations Officer with combat deployment to OEF and the 18th Fires Brigade Operations Officer.

In 2010, he was assigned to the U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC), Fort Knox, Kentucky with duty as the Field Artillery Lieutenant Colonels Assignment Officer. In 2011, he was assigned to the Pentagon with duty as the Aide-de-Camp, to the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. From 2012-2014, he commanded 1st Battalion, 319th AFAR, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division as the Army’s component to the Global Response Force. Following graduation from the National War College in 2015, he was assigned to the Joint Staff, where he served in the J35 Readiness section and the J35 Joint Operations Division - CENTCOM (JOD-CENT). From June 2017 until June 2019, he then commanded the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI), also known as the Warrior Brigade. During his BCT command tenure, the Warriors served as a Regionally Aligned Force to United States Army Africa, deployed an Infantry Battalion to Afghanistan, and deployed elements to Iraq. From July 2019 to July 2022, Colonel (P) Morgan’s General Officer assignment was as the Deputy Commanding General for Sustainment of the 82nd Airborne Division, to include forward support in Poland as part of NATO’s Operation EUROPEAN ASSURE, DETER AND REINFORCE. He is currently serving as the 56th Field Artillery Commandant in Fort Sill Oklahoma.

Brigadier General Morgan’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device, Combat Action Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Irish Jump Wings, and the Ranger Tab. His military education includes the Field Artillery Basic and Advanced Courses, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the National War College. He holds Masters’ Degrees in Leadership Management and National Security Strategy.

Biography

Coming Soon

Biography

COL Curtis W. King assumed responsibility as the 45th Commandant of the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School, Chief of Air Defense Artillery, and Deputy Commanding General of the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill, Oklahoma, on July 7, 2022. His prior assignment was the Director, DAMO-Fires HQDA G-3/5/7 at the Pentagon.

COL Curtis King comes from Central City, Kentucky. He graduated from the United Stated Military Academy in West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United Stated Army in 1996. He also holds a Master of Science in Strategic Military Studies from the United States War College.

From 1997-1999, COL King’s served as a Platoon Leader and Battalion Fire Direction OIC in 1-7 Air Defense Artillery at Kaiserslautern, Germany, and Fort Bliss, TX. From 2000 to 2002, he served as the t Brigade Assistant S-3, in 108th Air Defense Artillery, Commander Alpha Battery, 3rd BN 6th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Commander, Delta Battery, 1st BN 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Fort Bliss, TX. In 2005 COL King served as the Missile Defense Planner, Joint Functional Component for Integrated Missile Defense at Peterson Air Force Base Colorado Springs CO. From 2007 to 2009 he served as the Battalion Operations Officer, 3rd BN 4 Air Defense Artillery Regiment, and Brigade Operations Officer, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Bragg, NC.

In 2010, COL King was assigned as the Commander for Task Force Torkham, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st AASLT Division in Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. He also served as the Deputy Commander, 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, and as the Battalion Commander, 1st BN 7th Air Defense Battalion, Fort Bragg, NC from 2011-2013.

In 2015, Col was assigned to the Joint Special Access Program Office Chief, Pentagon. In 2017 COL King took command of the 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Hood, TX. After relinquishing command, he served as Plans Director, FORSOM G3/5/7, Fort Bragg, NC.

COL King’s military education includes the Air Defense Artillery Basic and Captain’s Courses, Command and General Staff College, US Army War College, and Airborne School. His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters; Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters; Army Commendation Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters; and the Joint Service Achievement Medal.

COL King is married to the former Kimberly Wilcox, and they have 3 children.

Biography

A native of Darby, Pennsylvania, CSM Macri enlisted into the Army in August 1996 as a 14S (Avenger Crewmember). He attended basic training at Fort Sill, OK and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Bliss, TX.

CSM Macri served in every leadership position from Stinger/Avenger team chief to AAMDC Command Sergeant Major. His stateside assignments include Fort Hood, TX. Fort Bliss, TX, and Fort Sill, OK. His overseas assignments include Germany, with deployments to Croatia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar.

CSM Macri’s military education includes Basic Leadership Course, Advanced Leadership Course, Drill Sergeant School, Senior Leadership Course, Executive Leaders Course. Battle Staff Course, Military Transition Team Training Course, Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Course, and the Master Resilience Trainer (MRT) Course. He is also a graduate of the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA), Class 66. CSM Macri’s civilian education includes an Associate’s degree in Applied Science and Technology from Central Texas College, a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Business Management from Excelsior College, and a Masters of Art in Leadership and Management with and emphasis in Project Management from Webster University.

CSM Macri’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (2nd award), Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (4rd award), the Army Commendation Medal (6th award), the Army Achievement Medal (10th award), the Good Conduct Medal (6th award), the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, the Drill Sergeant Badge, and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (gold).

He is also a member of the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Club and the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara. CSM Macri is married to Chandra (MSG retired) of Mt. Clemens, MI. They have one son, Deandre, who is currently in the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University and studying meteorology.

Biography

As a lieutenant, he served as a Company Fire Support Officer, Battalion Maintenance Officer, and Battery Executive Officer, 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery, 10th Mountain Division (LI). Following the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course, he served as Battalion Fire Support Officer, Assistant Operations Officer and Bravo Battery Commander, 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division. After command, COL Barefield served at the Joint Readiness Training Center as an Aviation Task Force Fire Support Observer Controller, Live Fire Observer Controller, and Field Artillery Battalion Executive Officer Observer Controller.

Following graduation from the Command and General Staff College, COL Barefield served as the Brigade Chief of Current Operations for 4th IBCT, 4th Infantry Division, Battalion Executive Officer 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery, and Brigade Executive Officer 4th IBCT, 4th Infantry. COL Barefield was next assigned to Joint Task Force North at Fort Bliss, Texas serving as a Mission Planner and Secretary of the Joint Staff.

COL Barefield assumed command of the 5th BN 25th Field Artillery, 3rd BDE 10th Mountain Division (LI) in 2014. After command, COL Barefield served as the Assistant Chief of Staff G3/5/7 for JRTC and Fort Polk.

Following graduation from the Army War College, COL Barefield served as the Director, Soldier Evaluation Directorate, Army Evaluation Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. COL Barefield commanded the 10th Mountain DIVARTY from 2020 through 2022. Once at Fort Sill, he served as the Assistant Field Artillery Commandant. In June 2023 he was assigned to his current position as the Chief of Staff of the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill.

COL Barefield deployed in support of Operations in Bosnia, Iraq and three tours in Afghanistan.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters and the Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Action Badge, Basic Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge. COL Barefield holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, a Master of Science in Administration with a concentration in Leadership from Central Michigan University, and a Master of Science in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.

COL Barefield is married and has two adult children

Biography

Colonel James (Jim) H. B. Peay IV, graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in May 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering and was commissioned into the Army as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery. Colonel Peay served his company grade years in the Republic of South Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division, followed by the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and then the 82nd Airborne Division. During this time, he deployed three times to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Following his battery command, Colonel Peay was selected for the Personnel Exchange Program, and was the U.S. Field Artillery Exchange Instructor to the United Kingdom at the Royal School of Artillery at Larkhill, England. Upon completion of his tour in the U.K., Colonel Peay attended the U.S. Navy Staff College in Newport, Rhode Island. As a Major, Colonel Peay served in the XVIII Airborne Corps Headquarters, the 82nd Airborne Division, and as the Assistant Executive Officer / Aide to LTG Gary Cheek, the Director of the Army Staff, Headquarters, Department of the Army.

Colonel Peay was selected for Battalion Command of 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), permanently stationed in Europe. After command, Colonel Peay attended the Army War College, and was then assigned to the Joint Staff, J36 - Nuclear and Homeland Defense Operations, as an Assistant Deputy Director of Operations and a Presidential Strike Advisor.

Colonel Peay is married to the former Ms. Heather Christine Leonard. They have six children, two boys and four girls; Parker (23); Lauren (21), Beatrice (20), Henry (12), Audrey (8), and Blythe (5).

Biography

CSM William M. Pearson is a native of Red Hook, New York. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in September 2000 and completed Basic and Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma as a Fire Support Specialist.

CSM Pearson's previous assignments include: Fire Support Specialist, 2nd BN, 319th PFAR, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC; Operations Sergeant, Ground Liaison Officer, and Battalion FSNCO, 19th Battlefield Coordination Detachment and 1-4 IN; Security Forces Assistance Team Sergeant (SFAT), Brigade Fire Support NCO, and FECC OPS NCO, 4th Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division; Joint Tactical Air Controller (JTAC), JTAC Program Manager, and Battalion Operations Sergeant, 2nd Battalion, 7th SFG(A) Eglin AFB, FL; First Sergeant Charlie Battery 2nd Battalion 8th FAR, Ft. Wainwright AK and First Sergeant Headquarters Headquarters Battery 2nd B.N. 8th FAR; Division Fires SGM, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, KS, and Battalion CSM, 1-94 FAR JBLM, WA.

CSM Pearson's first deployment was as a Forward Observer with Delta Battery, 2nd Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment. He then proceeded to Germany, where he served with the 19th Battlefield Coordination Detachment, where he fell into a myriad of roles to include Operations Sergeant and Ground Liaison Officer. While there, he deployed several times to Qatar and Afghanistan to the Combined Air Operations Center and a Battalion FSNCO with the 1-4 IN out of Hohenfels, Germany. He returned to the 82nd ABN DIV as the Team Sergeant for an SFAT in support of 4th BCT, 82nd ABN to Zhari, Afghanistan. CSM Pearson then became the 4th BDE FSNCO. CSM Pearson was then selected for Special Operations Terminal Attack Control Course (SOTACC) and proceeded to Eglin AFB, FL. While in Florida, CSM Pearson became a JTAC and JTAC Program Manager for 2nd BN, 7th SFG(A) and deployed several times across SE Asia and other locations. In 2017, CSM Pearson would assume his First Sergeant role with 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment. While in Fort Wainwright, CSM Pearson was the First Sergeant for Charlie Battery and Headquarter Headquarters Battery. In 2019 CSM Pearson was selected to attend USASMA Class 70 and would proceed to Fort Riley, Kansas, to serve as the DIV Fires SGM.

Most recently CSM Pearson was the CSM for 1-94 FAR on JBLM. Throughout his 22-year career, CSM Pearson has worked in many diverse positions across the Fires Spectrum, from Light Infantry, Theater level operations, Special Operations, and Stryker operations.

His education includes all levels of military professional development, Airborne, Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems, Joint Air Operations Staff, Military Security Advisor Course, Battle Staff, Pashto Language, Precision Fires Suite, Switchblade, and Special Operations Terminal Attack Controller.

His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Workforce Development from CGSC and a Master’s in Global Security from Arizona State University. He is currently pursuing a second master’s degree in World War II Studies from Arizona State University.

CSM Pearson is married to his beautiful wife Tamara Pearson and has two amazing daughters Kiera and Kenzie.