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COL Brian E. McCarthy

First Infantry Division 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team Commander

Colonel Brian McCarthy was commissioned through OCS in 1998. An Armor officer, he has served in the XVIII Airborne Corps, 2nd , 3rd, 4th Infantry Divisions, and the 1st Cavalry Division among other units.

Colonel McCarthy’s initial assignment after commissioning was as a Scout Platoon leader in 4th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment. Other company grade assignments include Recon Platoon Leader and Troop Executive Officer in E Troop, 9th Cavalry; Assistant S3 in the 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment and commander of both H Troop, 10th Cavalry and B Troop, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment.

As a field grade officer, Colonel McCarthy served as the Operations Officer for 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment and Executive Officer for 1st Battalion, 72nd Armor Regiment. He also served as the 2nd Infantry Division’s Maneuver Planner, and as the 2ID’s Secretary of the General Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff. Colonel McCarthy commanded the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, leading the Warhorse battalion as a Regionally Aligned Force in the Republic of Korea, as well in the Middle East in support of Operations Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve. Following battalion command, he served at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany as a Task Force Senior, leading the Timberwolves Team, and subsequently as the Deputy Commander of Operations Group.

Colonel McCarthy is a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic and Infantry Captains’ Career Courses and was a Command and General Staff College Art of War Scholar. He is also a graduate of the School of Advanced Military Studies and the Army War College’s Carlisle Scholars Program.

Colonel McCarthy has served in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, including three deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and another for Operation Inherent Resolve. His awards include the Purple Heart, the Bronze Start Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal.