Albert Bryant Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Albert Bryant Jr.
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Bryant's official U.S. Department of the Army photo
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| Nickname(s) | "Al" |
| Born | February 22, 1952 Pine Bluff, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1974–2008 |
| Rank |  Brigadier general |
| Commands held | Commander, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 67th Armor, 2nd Armored Division Commander, 4th Battalion, 67th Armor "Bandits," 1st Armored Division Commander, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Director, Center for Army Tactics, Army Command and General Staff College |
| Battles/wars | Iraq War Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Joint Endeavor |
| Awards | Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2 Oak Leaf Clusters) Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (7 Oak Leaf Clusters) Defense Distinguished Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal National Defense Service Medal (2 Stars) NATO Non-Article 5 Medal German Ehrenkreuz der Bundeswehr (Gold) Italian Commemorative Cross for Peace Operations Bronze Star Combat Action Badge Parachutist Badge |
| Spouse(s) |
Renée Bryant
(m. 1975) |
Albert Bryant Jr. (born February 22, 1952) is a retired U.S. Army officer. He reached the rank of brigadier general. He is well-known for his work as the Chief of Western Hemisphere Operations during and after the September 11 attacks. He also served as the Assistant Division Commander of the 4th Infantry Division. This division found and captured the former Iraqi president, Saddam Hussein.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Albert Bryant Jr. was born on February 22, 1952, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. His family has a mix of backgrounds, including African, Chinese, and Irish-Scottish roots.
Family Background
His father, Albert Bryant Sr., was also a retired U.S. Army Reserve Brigadier General. He was one of the original Montford Point Marines and received the Congressional Gold Medal. His mother, Mable Bryant, was a nurse. Albert Jr. is the oldest of five children. His sister, Lori Bryant-Woolridge, is a writer. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and went to Newark High School in Newark, California. He graduated in 1970 and was accepted into the United States Military Academy at West Point.
College and Advanced Degrees
Bryant earned a degree in General Engineering from West Point. He later received a master's degree in Operations Analysis from Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. He also has another graduate degree from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS).
Military Career Highlights
Bryant began his military career in 1974. He became a Second Lieutenant in the Armor Branch after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy.
Early Assignments
After his first training, he was sent to Germany. There, he worked as a platoon leader and troop executive officer. Later, he moved to Fort Hood, Texas, where he became a company commander.
Advanced Studies and Leadership Roles
In 1983, Bryant completed his master's degree at Stanford University. He then attended the U.S. Army's Command and General Staff College in 1986. After this, he worked in planning and operations for the 5th Infantry Division in Fort Polk, Louisiana.
In 1991, Bryant joined the Army Staff. He worked as an analyst for combat systems. In 1993, he took command of the 4th Battalion, 67th Armor "Bandits," in Germany. After this command, he became the Chief of Plans for V Corps. He was the main planner for Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia. His planning efforts are mentioned in the 2005 book Armed Peacekeepers in Bosnia.
Key Leadership Positions
In 1998, Bryant took command of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, at Fort Riley, Kansas. In 2000, he became the Chief of Western Hemisphere Operations for the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C.. He held this role during and after the September 11 attacks.
Bryant was then assigned to the United States Army Command and General Staff College. He became the Director of the Center for Army Tactics. In March 2003, he was chosen to be promoted to brigadier general.
Service in Iraq
In June 2003, Bryant became the Assistant Division Commander for the 4th Infantry Division. This division was involved in combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom. During this time, the 4th ID played a big part in finding and capturing Saddam Hussein.
In April 2004, the division returned to Fort Hood, Texas. Bryant then moved to Fort Knox, Kentucky. He served as the Deputy Commanding General for the U.S. Army Armor Center and Fort Knox.
International Role in Kosovo
The next year, Bryant was chosen to represent the United States in Kosovo. He became the Chief of Staff for NATO's KFOR. He started this role on June 27, 2005. He was the highest-ranking American officer on the KFOR leadership team.
Final Military Assignment
Bryant's last job in the military was at The Pentagon. He was the Director of Integration for the Department of the Army. In this role, he oversaw the planning for equipment systems worldwide. He also made sure equipment deliveries matched training needs.
Important Campaigns and Operations
- Operation Joint Endeavor: He was the Chief Planner for IFOR operations in Bosnia from 1995 to 1996.
- Operation Iraqi Freedom: He served as Assistant Division Commander for the 4th Infantry Division in Tikrit, Iraq, from 2003 to 2004.
- NATO Operation in Kosovo: He was the KFOR Chief of Staff in Kosovo from 2006 to 2007.
Life After the Military
After retiring from active duty, Bryant became an international consultant. He advises on military, diversity, and executive management topics. He works mainly in the United Arab Emirates and the Washington, D.C., area.
Personal Life
Bryant married Renée Saxton in 1975. Her father, Richard Saxton, was also a retired Army and Illinois National Guard Brigadier General. Albert and Renée Bryant have four children. Their oldest son, Benjamin Bryant, is a broadcaster and writer. He is known for his work on reports that suggested changing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law in 2010.
Awards and Honors
Medals and Ribbons
Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit (2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Bronze Star
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (7 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Commendation Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Achievement Medal (Oak Leaf Cluster)
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
National Defense Service Medal (2 Stars)
Meritorious Public Service Medal
NATO Non-Article 5 Medal
Combat Action Badge
Parachutist Badge
Foreign Honors
Bryant has also received honors from other countries:
German Cross of Honour of the Bundeswehr in Gold
Italian Commemorative Cross for Peace Operations
In 1998, Bryant received the Draper Armor Leadership Award. He was also named to the U.S. Cavalry and Armor Association's Order of St. George.
Images for kids
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Bryant observes as Admiral Edmund Giambastiani greets German Lieutenant General Roland Kather in May 2007.
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Bryant in September 2005, presenting University of Kentucky President Lee Todd Jr. with an award.
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Bryant reviews international troops at his NATO KFOR Installation.
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Bryant is pinned in a promotion ceremony by his wife, military families advocate Renee Bryant.
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MG Raymond Odierno and Bryant at 4th Infantry Division Ceremony
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Bryant is greeted warmly by his father, original Montfort Point Marine and Congressional Gold Medal Recipient, Albert Bryant Sr.
