New Commander Assumes Role As Head of Joint Base Lewis-McChord

LAKEWOOD, WA — America’s First Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChord have a new commander in Lt. Gen. Xavier T. Brunson.

Brunson commanded JBLM's 7th Infantry Division from August 2019 to May 2021, but, following a promotion, has ascended to replace Lt. Gen. Randy George at JBLM's helm. George relinquished command of I Corps in June to become the Senior Military Assistant for the Secretary of Defense.

Brunson assumed Corps commander duties following George's departure, but did not officially hold his position until a ceremony Wednesday at I Corps Headquarters.

“When I handed [Brunson] these colors in June, I trusted him to command I Corps just the same as I trust him now,” said Gen. Michael X. Garrett, commander of U.S. Army Forces Command. "I am honored to formally recognize Lt. Gen. Brunson’s command of one of the nation’s strategic workhorses for the Indo-Pacific region."

Brunson graduated from Hampton University, and was commissioned into the infantry in May 1990, according a biography provided by the U.S. Army. He has since served an extensive career, including six combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. His operational assignments included Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Freedom's Sentinel, and Operation Inherent Resolve.

“Xavier is well known and trusted by leaders and Soldiers across our Army,” said Garrett. “And, in the brief periods that he has not spent leading Soldiers in combat, he has been training Soldiers for combat, which is why I find great comfort in knowing that Xavier Brunson is at the helm of I Corps, making sure that this team stays ready for its many important missions.”

Lt. Gen. Branson is married to retired Colonel Kirsten Brunson. The couple have two daughters and one son. At his ceremony Wednesday, Brunson recognized one of his duties was to be a model for the soldiers under his command.

“It is my plan, it is my intent, and it is my desire, that I be visible not only to our community and our partners, therein, but also to the Soldiers of America’s First Corps,” said Brunson. “People are our most important resource. Their time, their treasure and their families are important to me, because it’s important to my team. It’s important that I be the example they can look to."

“This installation is a power projection platform, whether we’re projecting our Soldiers out to the surrounding communities, where we expect them to be good citizens, or we’re going across the world to meet with the adversaries and enemies of our nation.”