FORT BELVOIR, Va. – On Friday, June 5, 2026, Maj. Gen. Timothy D. Brown retired from the U.S. Army after more than 35 years of service. Brown served as the commanding general, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), from Dec. 14, 2023, to June 5, 2026.
Lt. Gen. Michelle A. Schmidt, U.S. Army deputy chief of staff, G-2, presided over the ceremony, which brought together senior Army leaders and previous INSCOM personnel, all of whom served with Brown throughout his career. As a tribute to his service, Schmidt asked commanders from across the INSCOM enterprise to provide remarks about Brown and presented them in a book.
“You have been referred to as a ‘servant leader whose words are wise and friendship is genuine,’” said Schmidt. “You are brilliant. Accurate. A secret hero of complex global conflicts. You make us better as an Army and safer as a nation.”
A Minnesota native, Brown commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of North Dakota Center for Aerospace Studies, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Studies. Upon graduation he began his military career as a pilot, flying OH58 helicopters before transitioning to special mission aircraft within the special operations and intelligence community.
Brown’s legacy of service extends to his family with his wife who served in U.S. Army aviation for eight years. Two of their four children currently serve in the Army, and both Brown and his wife’s grandfathers fought in World War II.
During the ceremony Mrs. Brown received the Military Spouse Medal and was inducted into the Honorable Order of Our Lady of Loreto in recognition of her outstanding support to the Army aviation family and Army aviation community. The Lady of Loreto has been recognized as the patron saint of aviators, and the award celebrates the sacrifice, support, security, and caring provided by those at home and in the larger army aviation community that makes it possible for army aviation soldiers to accomplish their missions despite changes in circumstances, location, and separation from loved ones.
As the commanding general, people were one of Brown’s priorities, ensuring that INSCOM personnel and their families had the support they needed. During his remarks, he spoke about what it means to serve and how important family is to him.
“When I first put on this uniform, I joined another family,” said Brown. “We are a stronger fighting force when our families connect.”
Previously, Brown served within INSCOM G3 as the Chief of Operations, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance at Ft. Belvoir, VA, and as commander of the 1st Military Intelligence Battalion in Germany and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan.
“It can be hard to wrap your mind around over 35 years of service,” said Schmidt. “From the Cold War to 9/11, 20 years of Global War on Terror, modern conflicts, advents of new technology, cyber, and the AI frontier. For Tim – from the platoon leader to his final role – he has seen it all, and he didn’t just witness it, he shaped it. Thank you for being the leader you are and getting the job done”
Throughout his service, Brown worked in various positions across the Army and Joint Staff, such as special assistant to the deputy chief of staff, G-2, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C; director, J-2, U.S. European Command and Operation Atlantic Resolve, Germany; director, J-2, U.S. Southern Command, Doral, Florida.; military assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security, Washington, D.C.; commander, U.S. Army Aviation Brigade, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.; detachment director, Special Management Division and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.
“I stand on the shoulders of the intelligence giants who served and commanded before me, so if I’m considered to be part of that group when I retire, then I consider that an honor,” said Brown.
Upon retirement, Brown will work as a civilian within the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Intelligence and Security.
“It has been the honor of my life to serve and represent America as a soldier– to put on this uniform and go into harm’s way,” Brown said. “Thank you for celebrating with me this transition to ‘Soldier for Life’ so I don’t have to ‘retire’ and give it up.”
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