Eric J. Wesley

{{Short description|American general (born 1964)}} {{Infobox military person | name = Eric J. Wesley | image = Lt. Gen. Eric J. Wesley.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Lieutenant General Eric J. Wesley in Army Service Uniform | nickname = | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1964}} | birth_place = Yorba Linda, California, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | burial_place = | allegiance = {{USA}} | branch = United States Army | service_years = 1986–2020 | rank = Lieutenant General | service_number = | unit = | commands = Fort Benning 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division 1st Tank Battalion, 13th Armor Regiment | battles = War in Afghanistan Iraq War | awards = Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (3) | relations = | other_work = }} '''Eric J. Wesley''' (born 1964) is an American retired general and the CEO of a start up software company specializing in agentic AI systems that autonomously manage and optimize operations at the edge. Wesley is a former United States Army Lieutenant General who retired from the U.S. Army on September 1, 2020. He serves on a number of boards and advisory positions for combat vehicle development, advanced nuclear power, and Joint All Domain Command and Control. He is a public speaker and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

==Early life== The son of Donna and Richard Wesley, an aerospace engineer, Eric John Wesley<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.westpointaog.org/page.aspx?pid=3390&reid=YdJcVU2tND4wd5EJvGooNQ%3d%3d&bbsys=0&bbrt=0 |title=Eric John Wesley |website=West Point Association of Graduates |access-date=2020-03-02 |archive-date=2023-03-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302160312/https://www.westpointaog.org/page.aspx?pid=3390&reid=YdJcVU2tND4wd5EJvGooNQ%3D%3D&bbsys=0&bbrt=0 |url-status=dead }}</ref> grew up in Yorba Linda, California, where he was a student and water polo player. He attended Troy High School in Fullerton, California and was interested in military service from an early age.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.westpointcoh.org/interviews/finding-the-center-of-gravity-leadership-and-modernization-in-the-army|title=Finding The Center Of Gravity: Leadership And Modernization In The Army|last=West Point Center for Oral History|date=February 4, 2020|website=www.westpointcoh.org|access-date=2020-02-04}}</ref> Wesley commissioned as an armor lieutenant from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1986. He retired from the Army September 1, 2020.<ref name="facebookAdapringTheArmy">General Joseph M. Martin [https://m.facebook.com/AdaptingtheArmy/videos/2672913066313838/ Vice Chief of Staff, U.S. Army (9 Jul 2020) Retirement Ceremony honoring Lt. Gen. Eric J. Wesley] Effective Tuesday 1 September 2020. A virtual ceremony using live cannon and Army bandsmen.</ref>

==Junior and field officer career== Wesley's first assignments included tank platoon leader, scout platoon leader, and battalion logistics officer for 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment, of the 1st Armored Division in Wiesbaden, Germany. He then commanded a tank company in 1st Battalion, 34th Armor, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas until December 1993. For the next few years, he was assigned to the United States Army's Special Operations Command where he was deployed in support of Operations Joint Guard and Joint Endeavor in Bosnia-Herzegovina.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://futuresconcepts.army.mil/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2019/10/FCC_Director_LTG_Wesley.pdf|title=Biography: Lieutenant General Eric J. Wesley|last=Futures and Concepts Center|date=April 2019|website=Futures and Concepts Center|access-date=2020-01-30|archive-date=2020-01-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130155724/https://futuresconcepts.army.mil/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2019/10/FCC_Director_LTG_Wesley.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1998, Wesley was assigned to the 2nd Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he held several leadership positions including battalion and brigade operations officer and brigade executive officer. Four years later, he deployed with the same brigade to Operation Desert Spring in Kuwait and then, in 2003, his brigade led the United States Army's 3rd Infantry Division's invasion into Baghdad, Iraq in what would later be called Operation Iraqi Freedom. His leadership roles in the invasion were captured in books written by embedded journalists including David Zucchino's book "Thunder Run," an account of the division's strike into Baghdad and Bing West's "No True Glory: A Frontline Account of the Battle for Fallujah".<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book|title=Thunder Run: The Armored Strike to Capture Baghdad|last=Zucchino|first=David|publisher=Grove Press|year=2004|isbn=0-8021-4179-X|location=New York, NY|pages=70–73, 95–96, 102, 128, 158–166, 169–176, 192, 203, 218, 329}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=West|first=Bing|title=No True Glory: A Frontline Account of the Battle for Fallujah|publisher=Bantam Dell|year=2005|isbn=978-0-307-80834-9|location=Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2005048199|pages=Xix, 15–17, 366}}</ref> Upon redeployment, he led the effort to move the 3rd Infantry Division to a modular organization.<ref name=":0" />

As a lieutenant colonel, Wesley returned to Fort Riley, Kansas in June 2004 and assumed command of the 1st Tank Battalion, 13th Armor Regiment. He deployed the "13th Tank" back to Baghdad, Iraq and conducted combat operations there from January 2005 to January 2006. Upon his redeployment back to Fort Riley, he relinquished command and became the operations officer of the 1st Infantry Division until June 2007.<ref name=":0" /> Following this command from August until June 2008, he attended the National War College at Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gomo.army.mil/ext/portal/officer/OfficerResume.aspx?GOID=8583&Printobjects=3|title=Lieutenant General Eric J. Wesley|last=United States Army|date=February 18, 2020|website=General Officer Management Office|access-date=February 18, 2020}}{{Dead link|date=February 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> and then returned to the "Big Red One" at Fort Riley, Kansas and assumed command of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division.<ref name=":0" />

After finishing brigade command Wesley deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan and served as the chief of current plans for the International Security Assistance Force in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Following this deployment, Wesley served from August 2011 through to June 2013 in the White House on the National Security Council as the Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan. In this capacity, he led inter-agency efforts to develop policy including a decreasing posture of forces in Afghanistan and subsequently deployed back to Afghanistan to be the director for future plans in ISAF's joint command.<ref name=":0" />

==General officer== [[File:LtGen Eric J. Wesley.jpg|thumb|left|Wesley at the Brookings Institution with foreign policy expert and fellow Michael E. O'Hanlon, speaking about Army modernization on September 24, 2019]] Wesley was promoted to brigadier general in 2014 while in Kabul, Afghanistan.<ref name=":2" /> While in this role, he reorganized the numbers of deployed personnel in the country under the direction of General Joseph Dunford and Milley. Subsequently selected to serve as the Deputy Commanding General for Support for the 1st Infantry Division, Wesley returned to Fort Riley, Kansas in September 2014 where he was the acting senior mission commander at the base while the division was deployed.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Stairrett|first=Amanda|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/310440/ready-change-world-again-future-comes-fort-riley|title='Ready to change the world again': The future comes to Fort Riley|date=February 18, 2020|work=Defense Visual Information Distribution Service|access-date=February 18, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Pinnington|first=Abram|url=https://www.army.mil/article/134260/1st_inf_div_welcomes_new_members_of_command_group|title=1st Inf. Div. welcomes new members of command group|date=September 23, 2014|work=Army.mil|access-date=February 18, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Stairrett|first=Amanda|url=https://www.army.mil/article/142305/fort_riley_leaders_urge_public_to_speak_up_on_potential_sequestration_impact|title=Fort Riley leaders urge public to speak up on potential sequestration impact|date=February 5, 2015|work=Army.mil|access-date=February 18, 2020}}</ref>

Following completion of this assignment Wesley was assigned to the Pentagon as the deputy director for program analysis and evaluation for the Army's G8,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/605435/general-officer-assignments/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111094433/https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/605435/general-officer-assignments/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 11, 2020|title=General Officer Assignments|last=Department of Defense|date=March 30, 2015|work=Department of Defense News Releases|access-date=February 4, 2020}}</ref> where he led the Army's efforts to improve Army acquisition.<ref name=":0" />

In January 2017, Wesley was nominated for promotion to the rank of major general.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://benningnews.org/2016/06/22/mcoe-cg-humbled-by-promotion/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204220001/https://benningnews.org/2016/06/22/mcoe-cg-humbled-by-promotion/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=February 4, 2020|title=MCoE CG humbled by promotion|last=Marchello|first=Lindsay|date=June 22, 2016|work=The Benning News|access-date=February 4, 2020}}</ref> He was assigned as the Commanding General, United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning, Georgia,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/military/article66922312.html|title=Brig. Gen. Eric Wesley assumes command of Fort Benning|last=Williams|first=Chuck|date=March 18, 2016|work=Ledger-Enquirer|access-date=February 4, 2020}}</ref> where he oversaw the initial integration of women into infantry and armor branches and the Army's Ranger School.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/oct/27/army-enters-new-era-10-women-pass-first-gender-int/|title=Army enters new era: 10 women pass first gender-integrated infantry officer course|last=Ernst|first=Douglas|date=October 27, 2016|website=The Washington Times|access-date=February 4, 2020}}</ref> While there he led the effort to reorganize the Army's maneuver force into what would later become a multi-domain capable force<ref name=":0" />

Subsequently, on April 12, 2018, Wesley was nominated for a third star and promoted to the rank of lieutenant general,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.militarynews.com/peninsula-warrior/news/army_news/wesley-assumes-arcic-director-responsibilities/article_71637ada-36a6-54bf-a357-9db9ce288920.html|title=Wesley assumes ARCIC director responsibilities|last=Voss|first=Michael|date=April 18, 2018|work=Peninsula Warrior|access-date=February 4, 2020}}</ref> assuming the responsibilities as Director of Army Capabilities Integration Center (ARCIC) and deputy commanding general of United States Army Training and Doctrine Command.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jble.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1495515/wesley-assumes-arcic-director-responsibilities/|title=Wesley assumes ARCIC director responsibilities|website=Joint Base Langley-Eustis|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-04}}</ref> Wesley was then tapped to lead the task force responsible for standing up the Army's new four-star command in Austin, Texas<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://taskandpurpose.com/army-readiness-document|title=Soldiers say the Army's relentless push for readiness is 'breaking the force' in leaked documents|date=2019-09-20|website=Task & Purpose|language=en|access-date=2020-02-04}}</ref> – Army Futures Command while simultaneously transitioning the Army's Capabilities Integration Center (ARCIC), headquartered at Fort Eustis, Virginia, from United States Army Training and Doctrine Command to Army Futures Command<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://breakingdefense.com/2018/12/us-armys-brain-transplant-futurists-move-to-futures-command/|title=US Army's Brain Transplant: Futurists Move To Futures Command|last=Egozi|first=Arie|website=Breaking Defense|date=10 December 2018 |language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-04}}</ref> [[File:LtGen Eric Wesley with West Point cadets.jpeg|thumb|Wesley takes a photo with United States Military Academy cadets after a discussion on Multi-Domain Operations]]

As the Deputy Commanding General of Army Futures Command and head of its Futures and Concepts Center, headquartered at Joint Base Langley Eustis in Virginia, Wesley led the Army's effort to accelerate the development of the Army's new war fighting concept – Multi Domain Operations – the most fundamental rewrite of an operational concept since AirLand Battle was published in 1982.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.brookings.edu/events/how-is-the-army-modernizing/|title=How is the Army modernizing?|date=2019-09-12|website=Brookings|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Judson|first=Jen|url=https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/ausa/2018/10/08/us-army-capabilities-integration-chief-talks-multidomain-ops/|title=U.S. Army Capabilities Integration Chief talks Multi-Domain Operations|date=October 8, 2018|work=Defense News|access-date=February 10, 2020}}</ref> He was an Army advocate of adapting modernization in accordance with this new concept and actively communicates the precepts with think tanks, academia, heads of other armies, and policy makers. By September 2020 a Joint exercise against cruise missile surrogates demonstrated AI-based kill chains which can be formulated in seconds, and a precision fires kill of a cruise missile surrogate by an Army howitzer at White Sands Missile Range.<ref name= killChainInSeconds >[https://breakingdefense.com/2020/09/abms-demo-proves-ai-chops-for-c2/ Theresa Hitchens (3 Sep 2020) ABMS Demo Proves AI Chops For C2]</ref>

==Personal life== Wesley is married to Cynthia Wesley and they have three children. He has earned masters degrees from the National War College (National Security and Strategic studies) and Troy University (International relations).<ref name=":0" />

==Awards and decorations== Sources:<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> {| |100px |Combat Action Badge |- |75px |Ranger tab |- |75px |Basic Parachutist Badge |- |80px |Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge |- |80px |Presidential Service Badge |- |75px |3rd Infantry Division Combat Service Identification Badge |- |60px |34th Armor Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia |- |50px |9 Overseas Service Bars |} {| |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} Army Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} Defense Superior Service Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=60}}14px14px Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|name=Bronze Star ribbon|width=60}}12px14px Bronze Star Medal with Valor device and oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}14px14px Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Service Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} Joint Service Commendation Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Achievement Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}14px14px14px14px Army Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|width=60}} Army Presidential Unit Citation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Meritorious Unit Award ribbon.svg|width=60}} Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=60}} Meritorious Unit Commendation |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|name=Afghanistan Campaign ribbon|width=60}} Afghanistan Campaign Medal with service star |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Iraq Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} Iraq Campaign Medal with service star |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg|width=60}} Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg|width=60}} Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Armed Forces Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} Armed Forces Service Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Service Ribbon.svg|width=60}} Army Service Ribbon |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=numeral|ribbon=Army Overseas Service Ribbon.svg|width=60}}12px Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 4 |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=NATO Medal ISAF ribbon bar.svg|width=60}} NATO Medal for service with ISAF |}

==References== {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wesley, Eric J.}} Category:Living people Category:1964 births Category:United States Army generals Category:People from Yorba Linda, California Category:United States Army personnel of the Iraq War Category:United States Army personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Category:Troy University alumni Category:United States Army Rangers Category:United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni Category:United States Military Academy alumni Category:National War College alumni Category:Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit Category:Troy High School (California) alumni