5th Brigade Leadership

Colonel Timothy W. Decker’s Biography

Timothy W. Decker was born at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He spent his childhood at various
Army installations across the United States and abroad. After graduating from high school in
Hampton, Virginia, he attended the United States Military Academy, at West Point, New York.
Upon completion of the U.S. Military Academy in 2003, Lieutenant Decker received a
Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. Lieutenant Decker was commissioned as an Armor Officer, and attended the Armor Officer Basic Course, at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Upon completion of training, he was assigned to the 1st Armored Division at Fort Riley, Kansas.
While a lieutenant at Fort Riley, Lieutenant Decker served as a tank platoon leader, tank
company executive officer, and battalion adjutant in 1st battalion, 13th Armor Regiment. Lieutenant Decker deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004, and then again in 2005-2006.
Captain Decker was selected for Advanced Civil Schooling (ACS) and attended graduate
school at Kansas State University where he earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Following ACS, Captain Decker attended the Maneuver Captains Career Course (MCCC) at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
After graduating from MCCC, Captain Decker returned to Fort Riley where he assumed
command of a tank company in 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Captain Decker commanded Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment for 28 months, including a 2011 deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in southern Afghanistan. Following company command, Captain Decker was selected to serve as a small group leader at the Maneuver Captains Career Course in Fort Benning, Georgia. After being promoted to major, he attended and graduated from Ranger School on his way to Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
In 2014, Major Decker joined the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. From 2014 to 2015 he served as the Chief of Future Operations in Train Advise and Assist Command-East (TAAC-E) in support of Operation Resolute Support in eastern Afghanistan. Following redeployment, Major Decker moved to 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team where he served as the cavalry squadron executive officer, and later as the brigade executive officer.
Major Decker was next assigned as an operations officer to the U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training (CIMT) at Fort Eustis, Virginia. While there, he joined the Research and Analysis Directorate where his primary role was the development and implementation of the Holistic Health and Fitness system (H2F) and the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT).
Lieutenant Colonel Decker joined U.S. Army North in the summer of 2020, where he served briefly as the branch chief for homeland defense exercises before being selected as the director of the Commander’s Action Group (CAG). As the CAG director, Lieutenant Colonel Decker planned and coordinated the Commanding General’s strategic engagements and communications, most notably in support of the military’s nationwide COVID response and the Nation’s largest non-combatant evacuation operation, Operation Allies Refuge and Operation Allies Welcome.
Lieutenant Colonel Decker assumed command of 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division in July of 2022. As a Combined Arms Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Decker deployed to Poland as part of Operation European Assure, Deter and Reinforce. While there, his battalion was selected to form the core of NATO Forward Land Forces Battle Group – Poland, which he took command of in September 2023. NATO Battle Group – Poland is a unique task force consisting of 10 companies from four nations stationed in the strategically important Suwałki Gap on NATO’s eastern flank.
Following battalion command, Lieutenant Colonel Decker attended the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle, Pennsylvania prior to being promoted and assigned as the Director of Operations (G3) for U.S. Army South in June of 2025. As the G3, Colonel Decker was responsible for synchronizing operations in the land domain of Central and South America and the Caribbean, including support to Operation Absolute Resolve. Colonel Decker assumed command of 5th ROTC Brigade in June of 2026 where he oversees all Senior and Junior Army ROTC programs in seven states in the south-central United States.
Colonel Decker’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (2nd OLC), the Meritorious Service Medal (6th OLC), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (5th OLC), the Army Achievement Medal (2nd OLC), the Valorous Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Citation, the Army Superior Unit Award (2nd OLC), the Combat Action Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the Ranger Tab. He has also been awarded the Order of Saint George (Bronze), the Order of Saint Maurice (Centurion), the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (Gold), the Polish Silver Medal, and the Polish Afghanistan Star.

CSM Jacob Gilmer’s Biography

Command Sgt. Maj. Jacob Gilmer is a native of Warsaw IN. He enlisted in the US Army as an 11B infantryman in January 1998 and attended One Station Unit Training at Ft. Moore. GA. Gilmer’s previous position and assignments include Riflemen, Team Leader and Squad Leader 3-187 IN 101st ABN (AASLT) DIV, Ft. Campbell KY; Assistant Team Leader, Team Leader, and Platoon Sergeant E-CO 51st INF (ABN LRS) Darmstadt GE; Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leader’s Course Instructor DCO 4th RTB Ft. Moore GA; Recruiter and Station Commander Kokomo IN; Scout Platoon Sergeant, A-CO First Sergeant and HHC First Sergeant 1-508th (PIR) Fort Liberty NC; Senior Military Instructor at Tarleton State University, Stephenville TX; Battalion Operations Sergeant Major, Brigade Operations Sergeant Major 3rd Security Forces Assistance Brigade, Ft. Cavazos TX; and Command Sergeant Major of the Branch Immaterial Direct Commissioning Course and Federal Officer Candidate School Ft. Moore, GA.

His military schools include the requisite Noncommissioned Officer Education System offerings, Battalion and Brigade Pre Command Courses and Command Sergeant Major Development Programs; Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Course; Total Army Instructor Training Course; Common Faculty Development – Instructor Course 1 & 2; Army Recruiter Course; Military Assistance Security Advisor Course; Battle Staff; Combat Life Saver Course; High-Risk Personal Security; Air Assault Course; Pathfinder Course; US Army Airborne School; and the T-10/T-11 Jumpmaster Courses; Reconnaissance and Surveillance Leader’s Course; NATO Special Forces Recon and Survival School; and US Army Ranger School.

His awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (5 OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (7 OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (6 OLC), Good Conduct Medal (8th AWD), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2 CS), Iraqi Campaign Medal (2 CS); Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 5), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 4), NATO Medal (1 BSS), Gold Recruiter Badge (3 Sapphires), Silver Recruiter Badge (3 Gold Stars), Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, Army Superior Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation (3 OLC), German Parachutist Badge (Silver), Basic Army Instructor Badge, and Ranger Tab. CSM Robles has also been awarded the Honorable Orders of Saint Maurice, Saint George, and Saint Micheal and is a prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Club member.

CSM Gilmer completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Leadership and Workforce Development awarded by the United States Army Command and General Staff College.