MG Brett G. Sylvia, Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) & Fort Campbell
Prior to assuming duties as the Commanding General of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Major General Brett G. Sylvia served as the Vice Director for Strategy, Plans, And Policy, Joint Staff J5. Major General Sylvia’s previous combat assignments and operational deployments include Deputy Commanding General of 1st Cavalry Division and Commander, 1st Cavalry Division (Forward) in Poland during Operation Atlantic Resolve in 2020; Chief of Staff of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and United States Forces – Afghanistan as part of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in 2018; Commander of Task Force STRIKE and 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) supporting Operation Inherent Resolve from 2016 to 2017, and the 19th Colonel of the 502nd Infantry Regiment; Commander of Task Force SAW and 307th Engineer Battalion during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2013; Executive Officer to Commander, NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom from 2010 to 2011; Operations Officer for 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment and Executive Officer for 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2006 to 2007; Operations Officer to the Deputy of the Coalition Provisional Authority during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003 to 2004; and Platoon Leader, 23rd Engineer Battalion, and Assistant S3, 16th Engineer Battalion in Bosnia supporting Operation Joint Endeavor from 1996 to 1997. His CONUS staff assignments include the Iraq Political-Military Planner in the Joint Staff, J5; Executive Assistant to the Director, Strategy, Plans, and Policy— Joint Staff; Military Intern to the Deputy Secretary of Defense and Assistant Executive Officer to the Secretary of the Army.
Major General Sylvia earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from the United States Military Academy’s Class of 1994, a Master of Science in Engineering Management from Missouri University of Science and Technology, and a Master of Military Arts and Sciences from the Advanced Military Studies Program (School of Advanced Military Studies). He was also a Senior Service College Fellow at the United States Institute of Peace.
Major General Sylvia’s military awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, five Legions of Merit, six Bronze Star Medals including one for Valor, a Purple Heart, and four Army Commendation Medals, including one for Valor. He also served as a member of units that earned the Presidential Unit Citation, three Joint Meritorious Unit Awards, three Meritorious Unit Citations, and an Army Superior Unit Award. MG Sylvia’s decorations include the Combat Action Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Ranger Tab, the Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge. His foreign awards include the Polish Army Medal – Bronze, the Romanian Land Forces Award, and Uruguayan and Chilean jump wings.