MAJOR GENERAL MICHAEL J. LEENEY
Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Central
Major General Michael J. Leeney was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and later attended the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant of Field Artillery in 1988. In addition, he is also Branch qualified in Infantry (11A), Air Defense (14A) and Armor (19A). He has completed the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, Junior Officer Maintenance Course, Field Artillery Officer Advance Course, Scout Leaders Course, Tank Commanders Course, Mechanized Leaders Course, Advanced Unit Movement Officer Course, Fire Support Coordinator Course, Command and General Staff College, Air Defense Officer Transition Course, AFATDS Command and Staff Course, Field Artillery Pre-Command Course, Joint Operational Fires and Effects Course, Joint Task Force Commander Training Course, Dual Status Commander Qualification Program, Combined Joint Component Commander Course, and the Army Strategic Education Program. He also holds a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College.
Major General Leeney’s previous assignments include as an FDO in 1-15th FA at Camp Casey, Korea; Fire Support Officer in 2-9th IN at Fort Ord, CA; Battery Executive Officer and Battalion S4 in 2-8th FA at Fort Ord, CA; Company Commander for Alpha, Charlie and HHC, 3-160th IN (M) in Inglewood, CA; Brigade S4 for 40th DIVARTY in West Los Angeles, CA; S3 and XO for 3-160th IN (M) in Inglewood, CA and Sinai, Egypt; S3 and XO for 1-185th AR (CAB) in San Bernardino, CA; G3 OPS/SIMS Officer for TAC CP, 40th Infantry Division in West Los Angeles, CA; Assistant Fire Support Coordinator for 40th Infantry Division in Los Alamitos, CA; Air Missile Defense Officer for TAC CP, 40th Infantry Division in West Los Angeles, CA; Operations Officer for 40th ID Agribusiness Development Team in Kunar, Afghanistan and Fire Support Coordinator for 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in San Diego, CA. He assumed Command of 1-143rd FA in Walnut Creek, CA in August of 2011 and was assigned as the XO for the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in 2013. He assumed the duties of Chief of Staff, 40th Infantry Division in August of 2014, and served in that position until deployment in May of 2018. He then deployed as the Chief of Staff for Train, Advise and Assist Command-South, in Kandahar, Afghanistan and upon redeployment in 2019 was assigned as the Deputy Commanding General-Operations for the 40th Infantry Division. He was assigned as the Commanding General, 40th Infantry Division in May of 2022. He served as the Commanding General of Task Force Spartan at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait until March of 2024.
Major General Leeney’s military awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal with Star Device, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, NATO Service Medal (ISAF), Multinational Force and Observers Medal, the Army Airborne Badge, the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara and numerous State Awards.