John Watson, Deputy Garrison Commander
John Watson assumed duties as the deputy garrison commander, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Rucker, Alabama, in July 2022. He is responsible for providing installation-wide services in support of operations at Fort Novosel, Alabama; Camp Shelby, Mississippi; and Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, supporting the U.S. Army Installation Management Command, Training and Doctrine Command, Forces Command, Special Operations Command, Reserve Command, National Guard Bureau and the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center, providing quality service to servicemembers, civilians, family members, retirees and contractors.
From 2009 to 2022, Watson was responsible for all training support services, programs, and facilities on the Army’s third largest installation, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, supporting FORSCOM, USASOC, SOCOM and JSOC units. He provided leadership to a workforce that synchronized and delivered training support to individual, leader, and collective training for 16 brigade-sized units. While in this position, Watson was awarded the IMCOM Stalwart Award in 2020 and the Commander-in-Chief’s Award for Installation Excellence Special Recognition in 2021.
Watson retired from the Army in 2009 after 23 years of service as a field artillery officer highlighted by leadership and senior staff positions of significant responsibility and authority, including command, ACofS G3/5/7 and service in the Commandant’s Office – US Army Field Artillery School. He served in Korea, Alaska, Germany and seven combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Watson holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Murray State University and a Master of Arts in Mass Communications from The University of Alabama.