Michael X. Garrett

General Michael X. Garrett served as the commanding general of the United States Army Forces Command from 2019 to 2022. He previously served as the commanding general of United States Army Central, chief of staff of United States Central Command and commanding general of United States Army Alaska.

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Gen. Garrett attended high school in Germany. He completed Army ROTC at Xavier University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice. He was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1984.

During his service, Gen. Garrett served in multiple joint and operational tours and staff assignments at numerous levels in addition to several commands. Highlights of his service include commanding the 3rd Battalion, 325th Infantry (Airborne), 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He deployed to Afghanistan as chief of current operations, Combined Task Force 180 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He then commanded the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division (Light), which deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following brigade command, he served as the deputy commanding general of the United States Army Recruiting Command. Following his tour with Recruiting Command, Gen. Garrett returned to Fort Bragg where he served as the Chief of Staff, XVIII Airborne Corps. As the XVIII Airborne Corps chief of staff, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn, where he served as the deputy chief of staff for United States Forces-Iraq.

Gen. Garrett’s awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal and Legion of Merit Medal among several others.

Gen. Garrett and his wife Lorelei live in Charlotte, N.C., and enjoy spending time with their two children and grandchild.