Vincent K. Brooks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Vincent K. Brooks
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General Vincent K. Brooks
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| Born | 24 October 1958 Anchorage, Alaska, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1980–2019 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | United States Forces Korea United Nations Command ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command United States Army Pacific Third Army 1st Infantry Division 1st Cavalry Division 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Kosovo War War in Afghanistan Iraq War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal (4) Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (4) Bronze Star Medal (2) |
| Relations | Major General Leo A. Brooks Sr. (father) Naomi Brooks (mother) Brigadier General Leo A. Brooks Jr. (brother) Francis K. Brooks (uncle) Brigadier General Mark C. Quander (cousin) |
Vincent Keith Brooks is a retired four-star general in the United States Army. He was born on October 24, 1958. General Brooks held many important leadership roles during his career. His last major command was leading all U.S. forces in Korea. He also led the United Nations Command and the combined forces of South Korea and the U.S. Before that, he was in charge of the U.S. Army in the Pacific region. He also led the Third Army, which covers operations in the Middle East. General Brooks became well-known when he spoke to the media during the Iraq War. He retired from the Army on January 1, 2019.
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General Brooks' Family Background
Vincent Brooks was born in Anchorage, Alaska. He grew up in California in a family with a strong military history. His father, Leo A. Brooks Sr., was a Major General. His brother, Leo A. Brooks Jr., was also a Brigadier General. Both retired from the United States Army. His uncle, Francis K. Brooks, was a politician in Vermont.
Vincent Brooks went to high school in Alexandria, Virginia, and then in Carmichael, California. He was a good basketball player. He decided to follow his brother to the United States Military Academy at West Point. This is a famous school where future Army officers are trained.
Becoming a Military Leader
At West Point, Vincent Brooks made history. He became the first African-American "First Captain." This is the highest position a cadet can hold at the academy. It meant he was the top student leader. This role brought him a lot of public attention early in his life. He graduated from West Point in 1980.
After graduating, Brooks served in many places around the world. These included South Korea and Kosovo. In Kosovo, he helped lead the U.S. forces there. He also commanded a brigade of the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division.
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Later, he worked at the Pentagon, the headquarters of the U.S. military. He helped plan strategies for the Global War on Terrorism. He worked with many different government groups, like the CIA and the FBI.
General Brooks also became the spokesperson for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). This is the main U.S. military force in the Middle East. At that time, he was the youngest general in the Army.
Leading Troops in Action
From 2006 to 2008, General Brooks was a deputy commander for the 1st Cavalry Division. He spent 15 months in Baghdad, Iraq. He helped stabilize the city during a time called "The Surge." After returning from Iraq, he took full command of the 1st Cavalry Division.
He later commanded the 1st Infantry Division in Kansas. He led this unit to Iraq for a year. There, they were responsible for keeping peace in the southern part of the country.
After these commands, Brooks took charge of U.S. Army Central and the Third Army. This meant he was responsible for all U.S. Army operations across the Middle East and Central Asia. During this time, he managed the reduction of troops in Iraq. He also oversaw the increase of troops in Afghanistan.
As the leader of United States Army Pacific, General Brooks created a program called "Pacific Pathways." This program sent U.S. Army units to different countries in Asia and the Pacific. They would stay for up to three months. This helped the soldiers learn more about the region. It also helped build stronger relationships with other countries.
In 2016, General Brooks was chosen to lead U.S. forces in Korea. He also led the combined forces of the U.S. and South Korea. He served in this role until October 2018. In November 2016, he received a special Korean name, Park Yu-jong. This was to thank him for helping improve relations between the American and Korean armies. He retired from the Army on January 1, 2019.
Life After the Military
After retiring, General Brooks joined the boards of several companies. He also works as a consultant. He advises companies, including some that work with the U.S. military.
Images for kids
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Brooks as a cadet in 1980
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Brooks with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in 2018
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Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno and Dr. Carol Brooks promote Lt. Gen. Vincent Brooks to the rank of general during a ceremony at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, 2 July 2013.
