Maj. Gen. Edward M. Reeder, Jr.
Commanding General, U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School
Maj. Gen. Edward M. Reeder, Jr. was commissioned in the Infantry through the Appalachian State University ROTC program in 1982. He earned a master of science in administration from Central Michigan University and a Master of Science degree in national security strategy from the U.S. National War College.
His military education includes the Infantry Officer's Basic and Advanced Courses, Airborne, Ranger, Special Forces Qualification Course, the Defense Language Institute, the U.S. Command and General Staff College and the U.S. National War College.
His command assignments include rifle platoon leader and weapons platoon leader, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division (Forward), United States Army Europe, Germany; commander, Special Forces Operational Detachment - Alpha 786, B Company, 3d Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Davis, Republic of Panama; and commander, B Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C. He served as deputy commanding officer, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and commander, 2d Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, NC. Reeder served as the commander, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne). In addition, he served as the commander, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan and commander, Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan. In his previous assignment, he served as the Commanding General of the United States Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) from 2010 to 2012.
His staff assignments include company executive officer and battalion adjutant with the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division (Forward), United States Army Europe, Germany. He served as the aide-de-camp to the commanding general, U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School and the ground operations officer at the Joint Special Operations Command. Reeder served as the chief of J3 Plans and chief of J3 Training at the U.S. Southern Command and the Joint Interagency Task Force, Republic of Panama. He served as a battalion and group operations officer and group executive officer for the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He was the assistant chief of staff, G3, for the U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne). Reeder also served as the executive officer to the commander, United States Special Operations Command, Tampa, Fla.
His combat tours include National Civil Defense Advisor, Republic of El Salvador in 1988 and commander Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha 786 in support of Operation Just Cause in 1989; serving with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) under Task Force Black, Republic of Panama. He commanded Special Operations Task Force 32 (2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan in 2002 and again in 2003. Reeder commanded the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan (7th Special Forces Group) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan in 2006 and again in 2007. He also commanded the Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010.
Reeder's personal awards include various U.S. and foreign decorations and badges.
Reeder assumed command of the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School on Aug. 16, 2012.