196th ACTIVE BRIGADE COMMANDER

BDE CDR COL Jay George

Colonel Jay George is a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1986, where he received a Bachelors of Science degree. He has a Masters degree in Public Administration from Troy State University. He has attended the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses in Ft. Benning, Georgia and the Combined Arms Service Support School (CAS3) and Command and General Staff Course (CGSC) in Ft Leavenworth, Kansas. Additionally, he graduated from the Air Assault School, Airborne School, Ranger School, Pathfinder School, Jumpmaster School, Joint Firepower Control Course, Long Range Surveillance Leaders Course, and Military Free Fall School.

Colonel George began his career as a Mechanized Infantry Platoon Leader, Battalion S1, and Support Platoon Leader in the 1st battalion, 58th Infantry Regiment, 197th Infantry Brigade (Mechanized) (Separate) and then as the Aide-de-Camp to the Assistant Commandant of the Infantry School and Center in Ft Benning, Georgia. Next he served in the 82nd Airborne Division, Ft Bragg, North Carolina as the Assistant Battalion S3 and Commander for C Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, then as Commander for the Long Range Surveillance Detachment, and finally as the Assistant Division G3 for Training. His next assignment was in the Total Army Personnel Command, Alexandria, Virginia as an Assignment Officer for Infantry Lieutenants and Captains, then as the Professional Services Branch Chief for the Combat Arms Division, and finally as the Assistant Command Manager. After attending CGSC at Ft Leavenworth, Kansas, he was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division (Light) in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, where he served in the 3rd Brigade as the Brigade S1, then as the Battalion S3 and Battalion XO for the 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment. Next he served as the Director for Operations, J3 for Joint Task Force - Full Accounting, Pacific Command, Camp Smith, Hawaii. Next he was assigned to the 3rd Basic Combat Training Brigade, Ft Leonard Wood, Missouri as the Brigade XO, and then as the Commander for 3rd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment. Most recently he was assigned to 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Ft Hood, Texas, as the Deputy Brigade Commander. During the Brigade's tour in Iraq, COL George served as the Chief for the Police Transition Team for Diyala Province, and later as the Chief for the Military Transition Team for 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division. COL George assumed command of the 196th Infantry Brigade, Fort Shafter, HI on 22 May 2008.

COL George's awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4th Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Commendation Medal (3rd Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Achievement Medal (3rd Oak Leaf Cluster), the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Expert Infantryman's Badge. Additionally, COL George's skill badges include the Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Free Fall Badge, Pathfinder Badge, and Air Assault Badge. COL George and his wife Kysa have two children: Trey (16 years old) and Kyla (10 years old).