Lt. Col. Christian Garner hails from Fort Wayne, Indiana. A 2007 graduate of the United States Military Academy, he commissioned into the U.S. Army that same year as a Military Intelligence Officer. He will assume command of the 502d Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion in the Summer of 2025.
Garner’s initial assignment was to 2-12 Cavalry Regiment at now-Fort Cavazos, Texas. During this assignment, he served as a gun truck platoon leader in Dhi Qar, Iraq, from June 2008 to June 2009 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and as the Battalion S-2 in Kirkuk, Iraq, from August 2010 to August 2011 in support of Operation New Dawn. In 2013, he assumed command of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 513th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater) at now-Fort Eisenhower, Georgia.
In May 2016, he successfully completed his Advanced Civil Schooling in preparation for a teaching assignment on the faculty at the United States Military Academy. While at USMA, Garner taught a variety of core, honors, and electives in Military History, as well as led multiple staff rides and volunteered with athletic teams.
In the summer of 2020, Garner arrived at Joint Base Lewis-McChord where he assumed the position of Brigade S2 for 17th Field Artillery Brigade, and subsequently 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. He has served as the Deputy Commanding Officer of the 201st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade since May 2022.
Garner holds a Bachelor of Science in History from the United States Military Academy, and master’s degrees from the University of North Texas and the Command & General Staff College. He has published multiple tactical and academic articles in various professional journals.
In addition to his military and unit awards and badges, Garner is a recipient of the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold), the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara (Field Artillery), and the Thomas Knowlton Award (Military Intelligence).
Garner's wife is another Army officer, and they have three children.