FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- The Army Training Center and Fort Jackson will welcome Brig. Gen. Bradley A. Becker as its new commanding general in a ceremony at 9 a.m., Aug. 27, at Victory Field adjacent to the Officers' Club. Becker will become the 46th commanding general in Fort Jackson history.
Becker will assume command from Brig. Gen. Peggy Combs, who will return to her position as the Commandant of the United States Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
"General Brad Becker is an exceptional leader who will lead Fort Jackson with distinction. He and his wife Sherri will be great teammates with our community partners in the greater Columbia area," Combs said. "We are fortunate that our Army selected this fantastic Army family."
Becker was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Field Artillery upon graduation from the University of California at Davis in 1986. His first assignment was with the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery, 3ID, in Schweinfurt, Germany, where he served as a Company Fire Support Officer and Battery Executive Officer. Becker commanded the 2d Battalion, 8th Field Artillery, 1st Brigade, 25th ID (SBCT) from June 2002 until November 2005. During that time the battalion deployed to Iraq in support of OIF III.
Following battalion command and attendance at the U.S. Army War College in 2007, he commanded the 3d BCD in Korea. He then served as the Special Assistant to the Commander, United States Forces Korea. Following his tour in Korea, he deployed to Iraq, where served as the Director of the Commander's Initiatives Group, United States Forces Iraq, until June 2010. He then served as the Deputy Commanding General (Support) for United States Division -- Center, Baghdad, Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn.
He is currently serving as Assistant Deputy Director for Joint Training, J-7, Joint Staff, in Suffolk, Va.
His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of California at Davis, a Masters Degree in Political Science from Auburn University, Montgomery, and a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. His military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms Services Staff School, the Air Command and Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College.
Becker's awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Valorous Unit Award, Combat Action Badge, Airborne Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Ranger Tab.
He was deployed to Iraq three times and also served overseas in Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Storm, in Germany and in Korea.
Becker and his wife Sherri have two sons.
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