Major General Bill Burleson graduated from the United States Military Academy and was commissioned into the Infantry in May 1988.

His initial assignment was in the 7th Infantry Division (Light), Fort Ord, California which included service in the Multi-National Force and Observers, Sinai, Egypt and the Invasion of Panama. He also served in 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Savannah, Georgia.

As a Captain, he commanded airborne companies in Vicenza, Italy, which included service as part of the initial entry force for operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Upon returning from Italy, he returned to the 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia and then served as the aide to the Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.

While a Major, he served in the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina with service in Kosovo and Afghanistan. He also served as aide to the Commanding General, XVIIIth Airborne Corps with duty in the Combined Joint Task Force Afghanistan and Multi-National Corps Iraq.

Major General Burleson commanded 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York, which included a tour with Multi-National Division, Baghdad, Iraq. After attending the Army War College, he returned to the 10th Mountain Division and commanded 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division where the brigade served in Regional Command-North, Afghanistan. Upon completion of brigade command, he served as the Commander of the Joint Readiness Training Center’s Operations Group in Fort Polk, Louisiana.

As a General Officer he has served as the Deputy Commanding General (Operations), 7th Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Director, Mission Command Center of Excellence, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and as Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Defense, Afghanistan. His most recent assignment was as the Commanding General of 7th Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Major General Burleson holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the United States Military Academy, and Master’s Degrees in Strategic Studies from the Army War College and in Military Art and Science from the Command and General Staff College. MG Burleson and his wife Cindy both come from Army families, and they have a son and a daughter.