ILW Breakfast Series - LTG Eric J. Wesley

LTG Eric Wesley is currently serving as Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Futures Command / Director, Futures and Concepts Center, U.S. Army Futures Command.

LTG Wesley was commissioned as an Armor Officer from the United States Military Academy in 1986. He began his career as a Tank Platoon Leader, Scout Platoon Leader, and Battalion Logistics Officer in 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, of the 1st Armored Division in Germany. In May 1991, he was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas where he commanded a tank company in 1st Battalion, 34th Armor, until Dec 1993. He then spent three and a half years with the United States Army Special Operations Command during which he deployed in support of OPERATION JOINT GUARD/ENDEAVOR in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

In June of 1998, he was assigned to the 2nd Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he served as a Battalion and Brigade Operations Officer and the Brigade Executive Officer. In September 2002, he deployed with 2nd Brigade to OPERATION DESERT SPRING in Kuwait, followed by OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) where 2nd Brigade led the 3rd Infantry Division’s attack into Baghdad. Upon redeployment, he led the staff effort to move the division to a modular organization.

LTG Wesley returned to Fort Riley in June 2004 and assumed command of a tank battalion, the 1st Battalion, 13th Armor. He deployed the “13th Tank” back to Iraq conducting combat operations in Baghdad in support of OIF from January 2005 to January 2006. Upon relinquishing command, he remained at Fort Riley serving as the Operations Officer of the 1st Infantry Division until June 2007. One year later, he returned to the “Big Red One” and assumed command of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. After command, he deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan serving as Chief of Current Plans for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. He then served for two years in the White House on the National Security Council as the Director for Afghanistan-Pakistan Policy. He later returned to Afghanistan where he was the Director for Future Plans for ISAF Joint Command in Afghanistan. He then served as the Deputy Commanding General (Support) for the 1st Infantry Division followed by duty on the Army Staff as the Deputy Director for Program Analysis and Evaluation (PAE) for the Army G8. Most recently LTG Wesley served as the Commanding General, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning, Georgia.

LTG Wesley’s military education includes the Armor Officer Basic Course, the Armor Officer Advanced Course, and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He is a graduate of the National War College, earning a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. LTG Wesley also holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations from Troy State University.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Joint Service Commendation Medal. He has also earned the Combat Action Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Ranger Tab.

LTG Wesley and his wife Cynthia have three children: Tyler, Austin and Meredith.