ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – The commanding general of the nation’s premier Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) Command was promoted to major general during a ceremony on Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, Dec. 14.
Maj. Gen. Daryl O. Hood, the commanding general of 20th CBRNE Command, pinned on his second star during the widely attended ceremony at the Myer Auditorium.
Gen. Andrew P. Poppas, the commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command, hosted the ceremony.
Part of U.S. Army Forces Command, the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland-headquartered 20th CBRNE Command is home to 75 percent of the active-duty Army’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) specialists and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians, as well as the 1st Area Medical Laboratory, CBRNE Analytical and Remediation Activity, five Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordination Teams and three Nuclear Disablement Teams.
From 19 bases in 16 states, Soldiers and U.S. Army civilians from 20th CBRNE Command take on the world’s most dangerous hazards in support of joint, interagency and allied operations.
Hood is the ninth commanding general of the 20th CBRNE Command. Before assuming command in September 2022, Hood served as the deputy director of operations for Team Four at the National Joint Operations Intelligence Center in the Pentagon where he routinely interacted with Poppas who served as the director of the Joint Staff at the time.
Poppas said that Hood had proven himself throughout his storied career from his early days as an enlisted Soldier to commanding the nation’s premier CBRNE formation.
“You talk about a storied career. He’s been from the tactical to the strategic level,” said Poppas. “At every step, he has learned, he has mentored and he has excelled.”
Poppas said that Hood has made every command he served at better while molding future leaders.
“That is the sign of a leader,” said Poppas. “That’s why we are putting a second star on him right now.”
Great Army families make great Army leaders, said Poppas, adding that Hood epitomized the leadership and character needed in a strategic Army leader.
“It starts well before you put the uniform on,” said Poppas. “When you look at the depth of character that General Hood always displays, I will tell you that starts from home.”
Hood is a U.S. Army Chemical Corps officer who is originally from Athens and Gainesville, Georgia. He previously served as the 31st chief of Chemical and commandant of the U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School on Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
A graduate of the University of Georgia, Hood has served in a wide variety of command and staff tours in the United States, Europe, South Korea, Middle East and Central Asia.
Hood commanded the 3rd Chemical Brigade; 110th Chemical Battalion; and 87th Chemical Company, 4th Squadron (Aviation), 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment.
Since assuming command of the 20th CBRNE Command, Hood has focused on people, readiness and modernization.
During the ceremony, Hood thanked his family, friends and mentors for their support throughout his career.
The U.S. Army’s newest two-star general closed his remarks with three questions designed to guide leaders to greater heights.
“What type of leader are you and what do you want to be? What is your destination and purpose in life?” said Hood. “What impact do you have on people?”
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