Brigadier General Curtis King Promotion Ceremony

FORT SILL, Oklahoma (Feb. 23, 2024) Colleagues, friends and family gathered in celebration for the promotion ceremony of Col. Curtis W. King to Brigadier General at Fort Sill Oklahoma’s Training Support Facility Feb. 23, 2024.
Brig. Gen. Curtis W. King, 45th Chief and Commandant of the Air Defense Artillery School at the Fires Center of Excellence, began his journey to his new rank after graduating from the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York in 1996.
Since commissioning, King climbed the ranks and thrived in command, building his expertise on deployments to Afghanistan, Qatar, Kuwait, and United Arab Emirates. King strengthened his career in Germany and during his stint with the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.
He said his promotion is not only a recognition of his individual accomplishments but also a reflection of the collective strength and resilience of the U.S. Army.“The Army is better with great teammates,” said King. “You get to be a part of a great team and then you become a great teammate. They go hand and hand.”King’s wealth of experience and proven track record have positioned him as a leader capable of steering crucial facets of military operations, fostering an array of changes throughout the air defense domain.
In July 2022, King took the helm at the world's premier air defense artillery schoolhouse and oversaw the success of training programs instructing allied partners on the Patriot Launcher Systems, as well as modernizing the force by standing up the never more relevant Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft System University.King expressed how friends and family are the pinnacle of his success, acknowledging the sacrifices made by his wife and three children.
“Kim committed, I mean all in—her devotion to the Soldiers and their families, not just to me and my family, but to all the families—it’s a testament to her dedication to the Army,” King said.
Maj. Gen. Richard Harrison, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command commanding general, acknowledged King's exceptional capabilities during the ceremony, where he was the officiating officer.
“Use your rank for good,” said Harrison. “Make sure you mentor the next generation behind us, to grow those young folks to take our place one day […] and continue to be a good person. It’s your superpower and has gotten you to this day where you’re being promoted to brigadier general."
Harrison spoke of King as a leader who embodies the values of the military and fosters a culture of excellence.
King’s military education includes the Air Defense Artillery Basic Officer Leaders Course, Captain’s Career Course, Command and General Staff College, U.S. Army War College, and Airborne School. His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal; Legion of Merit with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters; Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters; Army Commendation Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Joint Service Achievement Medal.

Story by Amber Osei, PAO
Video by FCoE PAO Team