BDE CDR

Colonel Kirsten McFarland is a 2002 graduate of Saint Bonaventure University, where she earned a Regular Army Commission as a Chemical Officer and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing.

COL McFarland began her career in the 82nd Airborne Division, deploying to Iraq, and later served as a Platoon Leader in the 21st Chemical Company in Afghanistan. She commanded a Medical Company in Hawaii and subsequently served as the Commander of the Nashville Army Recruiting Battalion.

Her key staff assignments include Battalion S3 and Executive Officer in the Warrior Transition Battalion, Hawaii. Regiment CBRN Officer and Task Force S3 (Afghanistan) in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) (SOAR(A). Executive Officer to the Deputy to the Commanding General at U.S. Army Special Operations Command. J35 in the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Syria. Group CBRN Officer in the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) (5SFG(A)). Field Grade Career Manager and CBRN Branch Chief at Army Human Resources Command. Plans, Assessments, and Exercises Branch Chief in the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Directorate at U.S. Special Operations Command.

COL McFarland is a graduate of the Chemical Officer Basic Course, Chemical Captain’s Career Course, and Command and General Staff College. She holds a Master of Science in Environmental Management from Webster University, a Master of Science in Irregular Warfare from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Master of Strategic Studies with a concentration in Grand Strategy from the Air War College.

COL McFarland’s awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal. Her badges include the Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, German Parachutist Badge (Bronze), German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Silver), and Army Recruiter Badge.