MG Karl R. Horst, USA

MAJOR GENERAL KARL R. HORST, MPA

Major General Karl R. Horst assumed duties as Chief of Staff U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on 18 July 2011. He reported to CENTCOM following a successful tour as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington and Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region on June 23, 2009.

MG Horst received his bachelor’s degree and commission in the Infantry from the United States Military Academy in 1978, after enlisting in the Army June 22, 1973 and attending the United States Military Academy Preparatory School at Ft. Belvoir, VA. He started his career with the 3d Infantry Division in the Federal Republic of Germany, where he served as a platoon leader. He went on to company command in the 9th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, WA. Later, MG Horst commanded both a battalion and a brigade in the 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC. In July 2004, he became the 3d Infantry Division’s Assistant Division Commander (Maneuver) and in September 2006, he assumed the duties as the Deputy Commanding General, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg.

MG Horst's important staff assignments include an assignment on the Army staff as aide-de-camp to the Army Chief of Staff, and a joint and NATO assignment as special assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. He served as the Chief of Staff, 82d Airborne Division; then as the Chief of Staff, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg. In his last joint assignment, he served as the Director for Operations, Plans, Logistics and Engineering (J3/J4), United States Joint Forces Command, Norfolk, VA. MG Horst's military education includes the infantry officer basic and advanced courses, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the Army War College. His civilian study includes a master's degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. MG Horst is the recipient of numerous military awards.