Draft:Jerry E. Baird
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Comment: I am a member of his military unit Michaelhastriter (talk) 10:21, 31 August 2025 (UTC)
Jerry E. Baird Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Pistol 6 |
| Born | McDowell County, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Army National Guard |
| Years of service | 1987–present |
| Rank | Brigadier general |
| Unit | United States Central Command |
| Commands | 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade |
| Battles / wars | Iraq War |
| Awards |
|
Jerry E. Baird Jr. (nickname: Pistol 6) is a brigadier general in the United States Army National Guard who serves as Director of Operations (Forward) for United States Central Command in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.[1] He has served in multiple command and staff positions during a military career spanning over three decades, including deployments to Iraq and Poland.
Early life and education
[edit]Baird is a native of McDowell County, North Carolina.[1] He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Mars Hill University and a Master of Education in Instructional Design, Training, and Development from North Carolina State University.[2]
Military career
[edit]Baird was commissioned through Officer Candidate School in 1995.[2] Early in his career, he served in engineer and military police units in North Carolina.
He commanded the 105th Military Police Battalion during a deployment to Camp Bucca in Iraq from 2004 to 2005.[2]
From 2017 to 2019, he was Director of the Human Resources Office for the North Carolina National Guard.[2]
In July 2018, he was promoted to Colonel at a ceremony at the NCNG Joint Force Headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina.[3]
In 2020, Baird assumed command of the 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and led its participation in Army modernization exercises at Fort Stewart, Georgia.[4]
During his deployment to Poland in 2023–2024, Baird served as Deputy Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division (Forward) and was mentioned in media coverage of congressional visits to U.S. troops near Ukraine’s border.[5][6][7][8]
In April 2025, he became Director of Operations (Forward) for CENTCOM in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.[1]
Military education
[edit]- Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses
- Military Police Officer Advanced Course
- United States Army Command and General Staff College
- Air War College (AWC)
- Joint & Combined Warfighting School (JCWS) JPME-II
Operational assignments
[edit]- Nov 23 – Sep 24: Deputy Commanding General, 82nd Airborne Division (Forward), Operation EUROPEAN ASSURE, DETER, and REINFORCE, Jasionka, Poland
- Aug 04 – Oct 05: Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 105th Military Police Battalion, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Camp Bucca, Iraq
Dates of rank
[edit]Baird's dates of rank are:[2]
| Insignia | Rank | Date |
|---|---|---|
 |
Brigadier general | 1 November 2023 |
 |
Colonel | 24 May 2018 |
 |
Lieutenant colonel | 1 January 2012 |
 |
Major | 3 March 2006 |
 |
Captain | 25 January 2001 |
 |
First lieutenant | 4 August 1997 |
 |
Second lieutenant | 5 August 1995 |
Awards and decorations
[edit]Baird's awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (with silver oak leaf cluster), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and other state and federal decorations.[2]
Civilian career
[edit]Since 2017, Baird has taught as an adjunct professor at Western Carolina University, offering undergraduate courses in emergency management, homeland security, and terrorism studies.[9]
Personal life
[edit]Baird is a member of the McDowell High School Class of 1987. He and his wife, Leslie, have two sons, both officers in the U.S. Army.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "McDowell County native Brig. Gen. Jerry Baird Jr. to lead CENTCOM operations in Saudi Arabia". The McDowell News. 2025. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
- ^ a b c d e f "Brigadier General Jerry E. Baird Jr". U.S. Army National Guard. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
- ^ "Promotion ceremony for Col. Jerry E. Baird Jr". North Carolina National Guard. July 13, 2018. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
- ^ "National Guard brigade takes on Army modernization mission". U.S. Army. April 12, 2022. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
- ^ "After visit to war zone, Edwards strongly endorses U.S. support for Ukraine". Hendersonville Lightning. April 8, 2024. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
- ^ "NC reps feature prominently in congressional outreach to Ukraine, Israel". WRAL News. April 8, 2024. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
- ^ "After visiting Ukraine, Edwards calls Putin a 'card-carrying KGB Marxist murderer'". Asheville Watchdog. April 9, 2024. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
- ^ "Edwards visits Ukraine, stresses urgent need to safeguard American global security" (Press release). Office of Rep. Chuck Edwards. April 8, 2024. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
- ^ "Faculty profile: Jerry Baird". Western Carolina University. Retrieved 2025-08-31.
External links
[edit]