Major General Curtis D. Taylor

Commanding General, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss

Maj. Gen. Curt Taylor assumed duties as the Commander of the 1st Armored Division and the Senior Commander of Fort Bliss, Texas, in July 2024.

Maj. Gen. Taylor graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in May 1994 and was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Armor branch. Over the last twenty-five years, he has served in various command and staff positions in Armored, Cavalry, and Infantry formations up through division level. His combat service includes two tours in Afghanistan and two tours in Iraq.

In 2010, Maj. Gen. Taylor commanded 3rd Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment in Grafenwoehr, Germany, and deployed with it to the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Following battalion command, he served as the Brigade Senior Trainer at the JMRC in Hohenfels, Germany. Following senior service college, he served as the Director of the Commander's Initiatives Group at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, focused on the development of innovative approaches to talent management and leader development across the Army. In that capacity, he also served as the Director of Strategic Assessment for the CSA 39 Transition Team in 2015.

From 2015 to 2017, Maj. Gen. Taylor commanded the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team at Fort Carson, Colorado, which transformed during his command into a Reconnaissance and Security Brigade Combat Team and executed a series of exercises to demonstrate the ability of a brigade combat team to perform the traditional roles of operational cavalry on the 21st century battlefield.

Following brigade command, Maj. Gen. Taylor served as the Chief of Staff of Fort Riley, Kansas, and the 1st Infantry Division, where he oversaw the deployment of multiple combat brigades to Europe and execution of a large-scale Warfighter exercise

From June 2019 to April 2021, Maj. Gen. Taylor activated and commanded the 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade, consisting of specially selected and uniquely trained combat advisors who deployed across the INDOPACOM area of operations.

From April 2021 to June 2024, Maj. Gen. Taylor served as the Commanding General of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin, California, for 28 rotations, where he oversaw the NTC’s adaptation to Multi-Domain Operations with two division-level rotations, two major Capstone experiments by Army Futures command and sustained changes to the training environment to keep pace with lessons from conflicts in Europe and Israel.

Maj. Gen. Taylor has two master’s degrees in security studies.

Command Sergeant Major James L. Light

Command Sergeant Major, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss

Command Sgt. Maj. James L. Light enlisted in the Army on Nov. 14, 1996, and attended One Station Unit Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Light has held every leadership position, from tank gunner to brigade command sergeant major. Additionally, he has served as a battalion master gunner, brigade equal opportunity advisor, and senior military science instructor. Most recently, he served as the command sergeant major for 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry; 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division; the 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade; and the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center.

His stateside assignments include Fort Knox, Kentucky; Fort Moore (known as Fort Benning prior to 2023) , Georgia; Fort Cavazos (known as Fort Hood prior to 2023), Texas; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; University of North Georgia; Fort Bliss, Texas; and Fort Novosel (known as Fort Rucker prior to 2023), Alabama. His overseas assignments include Korea and Germany. His deployments include Egypt, Kuwait, Iraq (2), Afghanistan (2), and Regionally Aligned Force missions to Korea and Eastern Europe.

Light's military and civilian education include all levels of NCOPDS, the M1A1 Master Gunner Course, the Equal Opportunity Management Course, the Air Assault Course, the Instructor Course, and the Master Resiliency Trainer Course. He also holds an associate degree in applied technologies from Central Texas College.

Light's awards and decorations include most notably the Legion of Merit (2nd award), the Bronze Star Medal (3rd award), the Meritorious Service Medal (6th award), the Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), the Army Achievement Medal (5th award), the Combat Action Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.

Brigadier Andrew Ridland

Deputy Commanding General - Maneuver, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss

After graduating from Edinburgh University, Andrew Ridland commissioned into The Royal Green Jackets in 2000 and spent his early career specialising in both armoured and light-role infantry, seeing active service in Bosnia, Northern Ireland and two tours of Iraq. Away from the Regiment he served as ADC to GOC 5 Div and as a G3 officer in the Operations Centre of the Army Headquarters.

Following Staff College, he spent two years in the Ministry of Defence working in Army Resources and Plans, where he was heavily involved in the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review. He then commanded A Company 3 Rifles, which included an operational deployment to Afghanistan on Op Herrick 16, before taking over as Chief of Staff 20th Armoured Brigade in Germany. On promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, he attended the Joint Forces Staff College in the United States, before returning to the Ministry of Defence as Military Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Military Strategy and Operations). He then commanded 5 Rifles, an Armoured Infantry Battlegroup, which included leading the first multi-national NATO Battlegroup in Estonia on Op Cabrit 1 in 2017. On promotion to the General Staff, he served as Colonel Army Plans in the Ministry of Defence, conducting the 2020 Defence Review, before assuming the role of AH Org in the Strategic Centre of the Army Headquarters, responsible for implementing the structural changes to the British Army under Future Soldier.

He is a graduate of both U.K. and U.S. Staff Colleges, having attended the Joint Advanced Warfare School in Norfolk and has a master’s degree in Strategy and Joint Campaign Planning.

Brigadier General Rory Crooks

Deputy Commanding General - Operations, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss

Brig. Gen. Rory A. Crooks commissioned as a Field Artillery officer from Washington State University in 1994. Crooks served his company grade years as a Fire Support Officer for Airborne, Ranger, and Armor units. His experience in Operation Iraqi Freedom included pioneering the first operational Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar system. As a field grade officer, Crooks deployed with a Stryker Brigade Combat Team and served with 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne). He then deployed in support of the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines. While serving as the 1st Infantry DIVARTY Commander, Crooks conducted three Warfighter Exercises and one Joint Warfighting Assessment in Germany. Additionally, he served with the NATO Special Operations Component Command/Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan and as the V Corps Chief of Staff. Brig. Gen. Crooks served as the Director of the Long Range Precision Fires Cross Functional Team, U.S. Army Futures Command, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, before assuming his duties as Deputy Commanding General-Operations of 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.

His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Washington State University, a Master of Military Arts and Sciences, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College.

Brigadier General Jared D. Bordwell

Deputy Commanding General - Support, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss

Brig. Gen. Jared Bordwell graduated from Washington State University with a bachelor’s in Criminal Justice, and commissioned in the Infantry. His first assignment was with 2ID in the Republic of Korea, where he served as a Rifle Platoon Leader and Executive Officer. In 2001, Brig. Gen. Bordwell was reassigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, where he served as a Rifle Platoon Leader and Battalion S4.

Following graduation from the Infantry Officer’s Advanced Course, he was assigned to 2BCT, 101st Airborne Division, where he served as Battalion AS3 and Rifle Company Commander.

In February 2007, Brig. Bordwell was reassigned to 1-357th IN, 191st INF BDE (ACRC) where he served as an OC-T, Battalion S3 and XO. In October 2008, he deployed with 1st Ranger Battalion in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he served as the TF Central OPSO.

Following graduation of the Command and General Staff College, Brig. Gen. Bordwell was assigned to 4-4 IBCT where he served as the Battalion S3 for 1-12 INF, 4-4 IBCT and subsequently, the Brigade Operations officer. Upon redeployment, he was reassigned to Human Resources Command, Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he served as the Lt. Col. assignment officer for the Infantry Branch. In 2013, he was reassigned to 7th ID, JBLM where he served as the Chief of Training for the 7th ID, Commander of 2-3 INF, 1-2 SBCT from March 2015-2017 and Division G3 from 2017-2018.

Following graduation from the Army War College in 2019, he deployed to Afghanistan as the Special Operations Joint Task Force-Afghanistan/NATO Special Operation Combatant Command J3 from July 2019 – June 2020.

Following his SOJTF-A J3 Assignment, Brig. Gen. Bordwell was reassigned to 7th Infantry Division, where he served as the Brigade Commander for 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team from July 2020-June 2022.

Following Brigade Command, he was assigned to 101st ABN Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he served as the Division Chief of Staff from July 2022-July2023.

Following his assignment at 101st, Brig. Gen. Bordwell was assigned to AFC, Austin, Texas, where he served as the Executive Officer to the AFC Commanding General from July 2023-July 2024.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), Army Commendation Medal w/V Device, Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Ranger Tab, Airborne Badge, and Air Assault Badge. He has multiple operational deployments to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Colonel Colin P. Mahle

Chief of Staff, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss

Col. Colin P. Mahle graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 2000 with a degree in History and was commissioned as an Engineer officer.

Following attendance at the Engineer Officer Basic Course and Ranger School, his first assignment was as a platoon leader in B Co, 2nd EN BN at Camp Castle, Korea. In March 2002, he was reassigned as a platoon leader in the 50th Multi-Role Bridge Company at Camp Laguardia, Korea. In December 2002, Col. Mahle became the company executive officer in B Co, 27th EN BN (CBT)(ABN) at Fort Bragg (known as Fort Liberty since April 2023), North Carolina. In November 2003, following his branch transfer to Infantry, he was assigned to D Co, 3-504 IN as the company executive officer and deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Following the return from OIF, he became the S3 Air Officer for 3-504 IN. After attending the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, he was assigned as the Assistant S3 to 1-66 AR (CAB) 1BCT, 4ID at Fort Hood (known as Fort Cavazos since April 2023), Texas, and deployed to Taji, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In June 2006, Col. Mahle took command of A Co, 1-66 AR (CAB) in Tarmiyah, Iraq. Upon completion of 19 months of command, he was selected as the Aide-de-Camp for the 4ID CG and deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in January 2008. Upon returning from OIF, Col. Mahle was selected to join the 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Moore, Georgia, where he served as the Regimental S4 Logistics Plans officer and Regimental S3 Air. In July 2011, Col. Mahle took command of the HHC, 75th Ranger Regiment, and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2012, Col. Mahle attended the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Following graduation from CGSC, he was assigned as the S-3 for 1-26 IN as part of 3BCT, 1ID at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2013. Col. Mahle was next assigned to 1BCT, 10th MTN DIV. While in 1/10 MTN he served as the battalion executive officer for 2-22 IN and deployed to Iraq as the BDE operations officer in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Following redeployment, Col. Mahle was assigned to Army North in the Defense Coordinating Element, Region VIII in Denver, Colorado.

In April 2018, he took command of 4th Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment in 3rd ABCT, 1st Armored Division and deployed to the Republic of Korea as part of the Regional Aligned Force. Following 25 months of command of 4-6 IN, Col. Mahle assumed the duties as the Executive Officer to the Commanding General of the Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth. He is a Senior Service College graduate where he attended the Advanced Strategic Leaders Studies Program at the School for Advanced Military Studies. Following SSC, Col. Mahle commanded the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Moore from July 2022 to July 2024.

Col. Mahle’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (4 Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (6 OLC), Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the German Parachutist Badge.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the Virginia Military Institute, a master’s degree in Military Arts and Science, and a master’s degree in Strategic Studies, both from the United States Army Command and General Staff College.