LTC Eric D. Buckner
Battalion Commander
Lieutenant Colonel Erick D. Buckner is a native of Edmond, Oklahoma, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma. He commissioned into the Army as a Field Artillery officer following completion of Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning (now known as Fort Moore 2023), GA.
As a junior officer, Erick first served in several positions with the 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery (MLRS), to include platoon leader while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), assistant battalion operations officer, and commander of the 657th Forward Support Company. He later commanded Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery (Paladin), served as a Brigade Fire Support and Battalion Fire Direction OC/T at the National Training Center, and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) with 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain to Regional Command-East, Afghanistan as an advisor to the 203rd Afghan National Army Corps.
Following completion of Intermediate Level Education and the Advanced Military Studies Program at the School of Advanced Military Studies, Command and General Staff College, Erick served as a division-level planner with the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, KS and deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). Next, he served as the operations officer for the 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery (Paladin) in garrison and deployed to Toruń, Poland in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve (OAR). Afterwards he served as the operations officer for the 1st Infantry Division Artillery, during which time he also served as the operations officer for the 1st Infantry Division (FWD) headquarters in Poznań, Poland.
Most recently, Erick served as the speechwriter for the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army and deputy director of the VCSA’s initiatives group. He is an MIT Seminar XXI fellow.
CSM Donald R. Cullen
Battalion Command Sergeant Major
Command Sergeant Major Donald Richard Cullen was born in the Northeastern United States in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He enlisted in the United States Army in February of 2005 and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Benning (now known as Fort Moore 2023), Georgia followed by Advance Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he was awarded the MOS 13R, Fire Finder Radar Operator.
CSM Cullen held numerous positions throughout his military career, from Section Chief, Platoon Sergeant, Senior OC/T, First Sergeant, Operations Sergeant Major, and now to Command Sergeant Major of 1-41 Field Artillery Fort Stewart, Georgia. His previous assignments include: Alpha Battery 1-377 FA Fort Bragg (now known as Fort Liberty 2023), North Carolina; 234 FA Detachment Fort Bragg (now known as Fort Liberty 2023), North Carolina; Delta Battery 26th Target Acquisition Battery, Fort Bragg (now known as Fort Liberty 2023), North Carolina; Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Hohenfels, Germany; HHB 2-77 FA Fort Carson, Colorado; 4CAB Operations SGM, Fort Carson, Colorado; Charlie Battery and HHB 1SG 2-12 FA Fort Carson, Colorado; HHC BDE 1SG Fort Carson, Colorado; Class 71 Sergeants Major Academy “Always Forward” Fort Bliss, Texas; and Corps G3 Fires SGM Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington. CSM Cullen deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and two tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan.
CSM Cullen’s military and civilian education include Warrior Leaders Course, Advance Leaders Course, Senior Leaders Course, Sergeants Major Academy, Battle Staff Course, SHARP Course, Army Basic Instructor Course, Observer Controller Trainer Academy, HAZMAT Course, Field Sanitation Course, Combat Life Saver Course, Advanced Situational Awareness Training Course, Battalion Pre-Command Course, Command Sergeants Major Development Course, and the Air Assault Course. CSM Cullen holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Maryland University College.
CSM Cullen’s awards and decorations include: Bronze Star Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), Army Commendation Medal (4OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (5th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2 stars), Iraq Campaign Medal (2 stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (4), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (4), NATO Medal (2), Combat Action Badge, Air Assault Badge, Rifle Marksmanship Badge (Expert), Driver’s Badge, and the German Proficiency Badge (GOLD). He is also a recipient of the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara’s.