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.