Col. Johnny M. Casiano, Brigade Commander

4th Security Assistance Brigade

Col. Johnny Casiano entered the U.S. Army in 1995, attending Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Moore, Georgia. After graduating from North Georgia College in 1998 he was commissioned into the infantry as a second lieutenant.

Casiano’s military education includes the Infantry Officers Basic Course, Ranger Course, Basic Airborne School, Air Assault School, Infantry Captains Career Course, Combined Arms Services Staff School, United States Command and General Staff College and the United States Army War College. He holds masters degrees in business administration from Kansas State University, and Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.

His previous assignments include service as a light infantry platoon leader, company executive officer and a battalion S-3 Air with the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment. He deployed with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division (1st AD), during Operation Iraqi Freedom I, serving as liaison officer to 1st AD, an assistant brigade S-3 and an Iraqi Army company adviser. He again deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom III as the Task Force 2-70 AR S3 Air, battalion S3 and commander of A Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment. Upon returning from Iraq, he served as commander of L Company, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, training Military Transition Teams (MiTTs) at Camp Funston, Fort Riley. Following ILE, Casiano served as the brigade planner for 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, before assuming the roles of squadron S3 and executive officer for the 4th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, where he deployed to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom XI-XII. Returning from deployment, he was selected as the executive officer for 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. He was then hired as the executive officer to the commanding general, 1st Infantry Division.

In March of 2016, Casiano assumed command of 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment, and deployed the Combined Arms Battalion in support of Operation Spartan Shield. Upon completion of this command, Casiano was then selected to command 1st Battalion, 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB), at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. During this assignment, he stood up, trained and deployed his Combat Advising Battalion to Laghman Province to advise the Afghan National Army’s 201st Corps in Train, Advise, Assist Command-East (TAAC-E).

Returning from Afghanistan, Casiano attended the Army War College in 2020. In 2021, he was selected to command the garrison at Aberdeen Proving Ground until June of 2023, where he provided critical installation services to the Army’s premiere Science & Technology community, focused on Researching, Developing, Testing, and Evaluating the service’s newest equipment.

Casiano’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with three oak leaf clusters,  Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal (second award), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (4th award), Global War on Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medals, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Army Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge and Ranger Tab.

Casiano is married and has two children.