Major General Curtis D. Taylor

Commanding General, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss

Maj. Gen. Curt Taylor assumed duties as the Commander of the 1st Armored Division and the Senior Commander of Fort Bliss, Texas, in July 2024.

Maj. Gen. Taylor graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in May 1994 and was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Armor branch. Over the last twenty-five years, he has served in various command and staff positions in Armored, Cavalry, and Infantry formations up through division level. His combat service includes two tours in Afghanistan and two tours in Iraq.

In 2010, Maj. Gen. Taylor commanded 3rd Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment in Grafenwoehr, Germany, and deployed with it to the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Following battalion command, he served as the Brigade Senior Trainer at the JMRC in Hohenfels, Germany. Following senior service college, he served as the Director of the Commander's Initiatives Group at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, focused on the development of innovative approaches to talent management and leader development across the Army. In that capacity, he also served as the Director of Strategic Assessment for the CSA 39 Transition Team in 2015.

From 2015 to 2017, Maj. Gen. Taylor commanded the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team at Fort Carson, Colorado, which transformed during his command into a Reconnaissance and Security Brigade Combat Team and executed a series of exercises to demonstrate the ability of a brigade combat team to perform the traditional roles of operational cavalry on the 21st century battlefield.

Following brigade command, Maj. Gen. Taylor served as the Chief of Staff of Fort Riley, Kansas, and the 1st Infantry Division, where he oversaw the deployment of multiple combat brigades to Europe and execution of a large-scale Warfighter exercise

From June 2019 to April 2021, Maj. Gen. Taylor activated and commanded the 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade, consisting of specially selected and uniquely trained combat advisors who deployed across the INDOPACOM area of operations.

From April 2021 to June 2024, Maj. Gen. Taylor served as the Commanding General of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin, California, for 28 rotations, where he oversaw the NTC’s adaptation to Multi-Domain Operations with two division-level rotations, two major Capstone experiments by Army Futures command and sustained changes to the training environment to keep pace with lessons from conflicts in Europe and Israel.

Maj. Gen. Taylor has two master’s degrees in security studies.

Command Sergeant Major Carvet C. Tate

Command Sergeant Major, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss

Command Sgt. Maj. Carvet Chevalier Tate enlisted in the U.S. Army on January 4, 1996, and attended One Station Unit Training at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, where he earned the Military Occupational Specialty 19D, cavalry scout. He has since served in all scout crewman duty positions.

CSM Tate has served in the 25th Infantry Division, 2d Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, and 316th Cavalry Brigade. He has also served as a drill sergeant, 5th Squadron, 15th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Knox, Kentucky and an air assault instructor, Air Assault School, Fort Polk, Louisianna. He most recently served as the command sergeant major of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin.

CSM Tate’s overseas assignments include: one tour in Hawaii and one tour in Alaska, deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, 2005, 2007 and a deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2012.

CSM Tate’s military and civilian education include all levels of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System, the Total Army Instructor Course, Maneuver Control Course, Air Assault Course, Rappel Master Course, Drill Sergeant School, Basic Combative Course (Level 1), Airborne School, Pathfinder School, Unit Armorer Course, Master Resilience Training Course, and the Cold Weather Orientation Course. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Allied American University and attended the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Course, Class 65.

CSM Tate’s awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal (2nd award), the Meritorious Service Medal (3rd award), the Army Commendation with Valor Device (3rd award), the Army Achievement Medal (6th award), the Army Good Conduct Medal (7th award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal (2nd award), the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Support Medal, the NATO Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (5th award), the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon (4th award), the Combat Action Badge, Airborne Badge, Air Assault Badge, Pathfinder Badge, the Meritorious Unit Citation and the Presidential Unit Citation Award. He is also a member of the Order of Saint George (Bronze Medallion) and the Order of Saint Maurice (Legionnaire).

Brigadier Simon Thomson

Deputy Commanding General - Maneuver, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss

Brig. Simon ‘Thommo’ Thomson was born in Gweru, Zimbabwe and spent much of his childhood years in countries across Southern Africa. He joined the Army in 2001, commissioning into the Royal Artillery.

In command, he’s gained operational experience at every rank. Most memorable of five operational tours have been Battery Command in support of the Maneuver Battle Group in Helmand, Afghanistan and two tours of Southern Iraq in both Artillery and Infantry roles. Selected for Regimental Command in 2017, Brigadier General Thomson had the honor of commanding the Royal Artillery’s senior regiment, 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, between 2019-2021.

On the staff, his roles have been no less varied. Highlights include time spent as an instructor at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, a Brigade Chief of Staff role, a counterterrorism role in the UK Ministry of Defence and two-years as the Military Assistant to the Commander of the Field Army.

A graduate of the United Kingdom Defence Academy’s Higher Command and Staff Course (HCSC), he is an Arabic and French speaker. He holds an Masters degree from King’s College London with a focus on Middle Eastern politics and an Undergraduate degree in Applied Sport’s Science. When not renovating his 18th Century cottage, he retains a passion for adventure racing, travel and sport – a regular competitor over the years at Corps level (4 sports) and Army level (2 sports), whilst his sportsman’s soul remains eager, his body has begun to creak a little of late!

Colonel John Gilliam

Deputy Commanding General - Operations, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss

Col. John Gilliam commissioned as an Armor Officer in 2000 following graduation from the United States Military Academy. His first assignment was with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment from 2000-2003. He served as a Scout Platoon Leader, Anti-Tank Platoon Leader, Support Platoon Leader, and Troop Executive Officer. He deployed to Kuwait in 2002 as the Executive Officer of L Troop to conduct security operations and later participated in combat operations in Iraq during the opening stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom I.

Following graduation from the Armor Officer Advanced Course, Colonel Gilliam joined the 1st Cavalry Division in Baghdad and served in the Division G3 during Operation Iraqi Freedom II/III. Upon redeployment, he joined 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment initially serving as the Squadron Logistics Officer and later commanded C Troop from 2005-2007, deploying to Baghdad for Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08. Col. Gilliam relinquished command in 2007 and served as the Aide-de-Camp to the Division Commander until 2008.

Following service at Fort Hood, Col. Gilliam attended graduate school at Princeton earning a master’s degree in public policy in 2009.  He then served at Army Human Resources Command.

Col. Gilliam was selected as an Intermediate Level Education Interagency Fellow and worked for the State Department from 2010-2011. After the Fellowship, he served as the Operations Officer for 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment deploying with the unit to Iraq in 2011 and Afghanistan from 2012-2013. Upon redeployment, Col. Gilliam served as the Aide-de-Camp to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2013-2015.

From 2015–2017, Col. Gilliam commanded 1st Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, deploying to Europe in 2017. He then attended the National War College earning a master’s degree in National Security Studies. Col. Gilliam next served on the Joint Staff from 2019-2021 first as a Nuclear Operations Officer and later as the XO to the J-3. From 2021-2022, he was an Army Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. Col. Gilliam assumed command of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division in June 2022. From July 2022 – February 2023, the Brigade deployed to Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve. Following his relinquishment of command on 1 December 2023, he attended the United Kingdom Higher Command and Staff Course. From May 2024 to May 2026, he served on the Army Staff first as the XO to the G3 and later as the XO to Director of the Army Staff. Col. Gilliam reported to the 1st Armored Division in May 2026 and is currently serving as the Deputy Commander – Support for JTF-Southern Border.

Col. Gilliam’s military training and education include the Airborne Course, the Air Assault Course, the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Scout Leader’s Course, Intermediate Level Education, and the National War College.

His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (1 OLC), Bronze Star Medal (3 OLC), Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal (1 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC), Airborne and Air Assault Badges, the Combat Action Badge, and the Army and Joint Staff Identification Badges.

Colonel Kirby "Bo" Dennis

Deputy Commanding General - Support, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss

Col. Kirby “Bo” Dennis is an infantry officer in the United States Army. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2000 with a B.S. in American Politics. Col. Dennis has held numerous leadership positions from the platoon to division level throughout his 26-year career as an active duty officer, and has been assigned to the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado, 2nd Infantry Division and 2nd Ranger Battalion at Fort Lewis, Washington, the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York, the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, TX. He has deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and to the Republic of Korea.

From 2017-2019, Col. Dennis commanded 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment at Fort Carson, Colorado. From 2020-2021, Col. Dennis served as the Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations (G3) for the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He commanded the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division from 2022-2024. On July 1, 2024, he assumed duties as the Chief of Staff of the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) & Fort Campbell, Kentucky. From June 2025-June 2026, Col. Dennis served as the Executive Officer to the Under Secretary of the Army.

Col. Dennis holds a master’s degree from Georgetown University and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the Joint and Combined Warfighting School. He completed the Senior Service College Fellowship at Princeton University’s School for Public and International Affairs.

Colonel Bryan Frizzelle

Chief of Staff, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss

Colonel Bryan Frizzelle commissioned from the United States Military Academy in 2002 as an Armor officer. His most recent assignment was as a Special Assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe in Mons, Belgium.

His most recent operational experience was as the Division G-3 (Operations Officer) for 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas. He also commanded the 4th Battalion, 70th Armored Regiment “Thunderbolts” in 1st Armored Division from 2018-2020.

Col. Frizzelle’s duty in other warfighting units include assignment to the 1st Cavalry Division as a Tank Platoon Leader and Battalion Mortar Platoon Leader in 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas, where he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II in Baghdad. After attending the Armor Captains Career Course, he was reassigned to the 1st Cavalry Division, serving as a Battalion Logistics Officer, Tank Company Commander, and Headquarters and Headquarters Company Commander with the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood (known as Fort Cavazos since April 2023). During this assignment, he deployed twice as a company commander in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-07 in Samarra and 08-09 in Mosul. As a field grade officer, he was assigned to the 2d Cavalry Regiment, serving as the Squadron S-3 (Operations Officer) for 1st Squadron and as the Regimental S-3 (Operations Officer) for the 2d Cavalry Regiment in Vilseck, Germany. In these duty positions, he planned and participated in several NATO exercises in central and eastern Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

He also previously served at the joint and enterprise levels as a Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Strategic Analyst in the Deputy Chief of Staff, Headquarters Department of the Army, G-8.

Col. Frizzelle holds a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point (Class of 2002) and a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University. In 2022, he earned a Ph.D. from the University of Texas’ Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs.

His awards include the Bronze Star (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), the NATO Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), the Joint Staff Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Staff Achievement Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Joint Staff Identification Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge.