Austin S. Miller facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Austin S. Miller
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Miller in 2018
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| Nickname(s) | "Scott" |
| Born | 15 May 1961 Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1983–2021 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Resolute Support Mission, U.S. Forces in Afghanistan Joint Special Operations Command United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence Special Operations Joint Task Force – Afghanistan 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta |
| Battles/wars | Operation Gothic Serpent
Iraq War War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit |
| Alma mater | United States Military Academy |
Austin Scott Miller (born May 15, 1961) is a retired four-star general from the United States Army. A four-star general is one of the highest ranks an officer can achieve. He is well known for being a commander of the elite Delta Force and for leading all NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
Miller's long career included many important combat missions. He was a key leader in the famous Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. He also served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. After nearly 40 years of service, he retired from the Army in 2021. Today, he uses his leadership experience on the advisory boards of several companies.
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Early Life and Education
Austin "Scott" Miller was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, on May 15, 1961. He attended the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point. After graduating in 1983, he became an infantry officer in the U.S. Army, ready to begin his military career.
A Long Military Career
Miller began his journey as a second lieutenant. After finishing the tough Ranger School, he led a platoon in the 82nd Airborne Division, a unit known for its paratroopers. He then joined the elite 75th Ranger Regiment.
Over the years, he served in many roles, including as a company commander in South Korea and an instructor at the School of the Americas at Fort Benning, Georgia.
Joining Delta Force
In 1992, Miller passed a difficult selection course to join one of the U.S. Army's most secret and skilled units: the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, better known as Delta Force. This group is part of the Joint Special Operations Command and handles the most high-risk missions.
Within Delta Force, Miller held many leadership jobs. He eventually became the unit's commanding officer from 2005 to 2007.
The Battle of Mogadishu
In October 1993, Miller was a captain in Delta Force. He served as the ground force commander during Operation Gothic Serpent in Mogadishu, Somalia. This mission led to the intense Battle of Mogadishu.
The goal was to capture a local warlord, but it turned into a fierce, two-day firefight after two U.S. Black Hawk helicopters were shot down. Miller and his soldiers fought bravely to rescue the helicopter crews and protect other soldiers. His leadership during this famous battle showed his skill and courage under pressure.
Commander in Afghanistan
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After many other important assignments, Miller was promoted to four-star general. In 2018, he took on his biggest role yet: commander of all U.S. Forces and NATO's Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan. This meant he was in charge of the entire international military effort in the country.
He led these forces during a very challenging time. On October 18, 2018, he was present during an attack inside a governor's compound in Kandahar. A gunman shot and killed a high-ranking Afghan police chief. Miller was unharmed and helped secure the area and get the wounded to safety.
In July 2021, Miller officially ended the NATO mission in Afghanistan. In a farewell ceremony, he said, "the people of Afghanistan will be in my heart, and on my mind, for the rest of my life." He then met with President Joe Biden, who thanked him for his many years of service. Miller retired from the Army a few months later.
Online Scams Using Miller's Name
Because General Miller is a well-known public figure, his name and photos are often used by scammers online. These criminals create fake accounts on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
They pretend to be General Miller to trick people, often in what are called "romance scams." The scammers try to fool people into sending them money, gift cards, or cellphones.
The U.S. military has warned that General Miller does not use any public social media accounts. If you see an account claiming to be him, it is fake and should be reported. This is an important reminder to always be careful about who you talk to online.
Dates of Rank
A soldier's rank shows their level of authority and experience. Here are the dates when Austin Miller was promoted to each officer rank.
| Rank | Date |
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 Second lieutenant |
25 May 1983 |
 First lieutenant |
24 November 1984 |
 Captain |
1 May 1987 |
 Major |
1 December 1994 |
 Lieutenant colonel |
1 June 1999 |
 Colonel |
1 May 2004 |
 Brigadier general |
15 June 2009 |
 Major general |
2 June 2012 |
 Lieutenant general |
24 March 2016 |
 General |
2 September 2018 |
Awards and Decorations
General Miller earned many awards for his service and bravery. These are some of the most important ones.
 Combat Infantryman Badge with Star (denoting 2nd award) |
.svg){kind=icon} Master Parachutist Badge |
 Ranger tab |
 Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge |
.svg) Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge |
 Special Operations Joint Task Force – Afghanistan Combat Service Identification Badge |
 325th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia |
 16 Overseas Service Bars |
 Defense Distinguished Service Medal |
 Army Distinguished Service Medal |
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 Legion of Merit |
 Bronze Star |
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 Meritorious Service Medal |
 Joint Service Commendation Medal |
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 Joint Service Achievement Medal |
 Army Achievement Medal |
 Army Presidential Unit Citation |
 Valorous Unit Award |
 Army Superior Unit Award |
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 Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |
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 Iraq Campaign Medal (with three campaign stars) |
 Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |
 Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
 Korea Defense Service Medal |
 Army Service Ribbon |
  Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 2 |
 NATO Medal for service with ISAF |
