Commander
COL Alexis Perez-Cruz 'Pancho'
COL Alex Perez-Cruz is a military brat from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, and grew up in El Paso, Texas where his father was an Air Defense Artillery Sergeant Major. He entered the Army as a Medic in 1994. Having been awarded an Army ROTC scholarship, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications from Stephen F. Austin State University and was commissioned as an Armor officer.
COL Perez’s first assignments were as a Tank Platoon Leader, Tank Company Executive Officer, and Battalion Maintenance Officer in the 2nd Battalion 69th Armor, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. COL Perez deployed C Company to Kuwait for Operation Desert Spring from March to September 2002. In January 2003, the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor returned to Kuwait, and in March 2003, was part of the invasion of Iraq by the 3rd Infantry Division.
Following graduation of the Infantry Captain’s Career Course in December 2004, COL Perez was once again reassigned to the 3 Infantry Division deploying as the Task Force 2-69 Security Forces Training Team Executive Officer in Diyala Provence, Iraq training and conducting operation with an Iraqi Army Infantry Battalion. He commanded D Company “Death Dealers” for 27 months, spending 14 months in Eastern Baghdad during the 2007-2008 “Surge.”
Following company command, COL Perez was assigned to the US Army Armor School in Fort Knox, Kentucky, and served as the Battalion S3 and Executive Officer of 1st Battalion 46th Infantry Regiment (Basic Combat Training) and the S3 and Executive Officer of 2nd Battalion 81st Armor Regiment (Abrams Tank Crewmen One Station Unit Training), 194th Armored Brigade.
COL Perez was selected to attend Spanish Language Command and General Staff College at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation in Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon graduation he was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado where he served as an Afghan Army and National Police Security Forces Assistance Training Team Chief and then as the Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition Squadron S3, 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment in the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team deploying to Eastern and Southern Afghanistan.
COL Perez was then selected to attend the Advanced Military Studies Program. Upon Graduating he was assigned to United States Army North (5th Army) and immediately selected to serve as the Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General concluding his tour as the Theater (North America) Security Cooperation Plans Chief, G59. COL Perez was then selected an U.S. Army Fellow at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Policy where he was a senior policy strategist for the Assistant Secretary for Strategy, Plans, Analysis, and Risk. COL Perez most recently served as the 3rd Infantry Division ACofS G5, Commander of the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, First Armor Brigade Combat Team, Deputy Chief of Staff, and ACofS G3. He currently serves as the
2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team Commander at Fort Stewart.
COL Perez hold a Masters of Art in International Relations from Webster University and Masters of Military Arts and Science in Theater Operations from the School of Advanced Military Studies. He is a graduate of the Advanced Military Studies Program, Command and General Staff College at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, Airborne School, Armor Officer’s Basic Course, and Infantry Captain’s Career Course.
Command Sergeant Major
CSM Kirk L. Ray
Command Sergeant Major Kirk L. Ray is a native of Seaford, Delaware entered the United States Army in October 2001. He completed One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Knox, Kentucky where he was awarded the MOS 19D, Cavalry Scout.
CSM Ray’s duty positions include Team Leader, Assistant Operations NCO, Squad Leader, Drill Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, Ranger Instructor, First Sergeant, Operations Sergeant Major, 1-64 AR Battalion CSM and USAG Poland CSM. His stateside assignments include Fort Drum, NY; Fort Benning, GA; Fort Campbell, KY; Eglin AF Base, FL; Fort Bliss, TX; and Fort Stewart, GA. His overseas assignments include Germany and Poland. He has deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, and Europe.
CSM Ray is a graduate of Basic Leader Course (BLC), Advanced Leaders Course (ALC), Senior Leader Course (SLC), and Sergeants Major Course (SMC), US Army Ranger School, Drill Sergeant School, Pathfinder Course, Airborne School, Air Assault Course, Combatives Level 1 and 2, Total Army Instructor Trainer, Battle Staff Course. CSM Ray holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Leadership and Workforce Development.
CSM Ray’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (3 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (3 OLC), Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation (1 OLC), Good Conduct Medal (7 awards), National Defense Service Medal (w/star), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (w/3 campaign stars), Iraq Campaign Medal (w/ 5 campaign stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, NCOPD Ribbon (numeral 5), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (numeral 4), NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, Ranger Tab, Pathfinder Badge, Parachutists Badge, and the Air Assault Badge. He is also a member of the Order of St. George and St Maurice.