General (Ret.) Michael “Erik” Kurilla, a retired U.S. Army General, most recently served as the 15th Commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM) from 2022-2025. Previously, he commanded the XVIII Airborne Corps, 82nd Airborne Division, the 75th Ranger Regiment and was the Director of Operations and Assistant Commanding General for Joint Special Operations Command. Over a career spanning four decades, General Kurilla led Airborne, Ranger, Joint Special Operations Forces, Mechanized, and Stryker units in combat and operational deployments across the globe. He has been a driving force in innovation and technology initiatives that significantly advanced warfighting capabilities across the Department of Defense. General Kurilla was wounded twice in combat and was involved in some of the most strategic and consequential missions affecting the United States and regional security and stability. He is a Senior Advisor for several US Companies, a distinguished fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, and serves on the Board of Directors for two non-profit companies that help our Service-members and their families. 

General Kurilla was commissioned from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1988. He holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from West Point, an M.B.A. from Regis University, and an M.S. in National Security Studies from the National War College.