1st Brigade Leadership

Colonel Joel P. Gleason’s Biography

Colonel Joel P. Gleason graduated from the State University of New York and received a commission into the Ordnance Corps through Clarkson University SROTC in 2000. He has served in a variety of command and staff assignments in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, 6th Cavalry Brigade, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, 82nd Airborne Division, Joint Multinational Readiness Center, 7th Army Training Command, US Army Garrison Okinawa, Human Resources Command, and US V Corps. Colonel Gleason was one of 11 multi-service installation commanders who formed the Okinawa Joint COVID Response Force.

Joel is a native of the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Potsdam. COL Gleason received a ROTC commission as an Ordnance Officer through Clarkson University in 2000. He holds a Master of Military Art and Science from the School of Advanced Military Studies (Class of ’13), and a Master of Strategic Studies – Distinguished Graduate, from the US Army War College (Class of ’23).

COL Gleason’s military schools include the Carlisle Scholars Program, Advanced Military Studies Program, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Division Transportation Officer Course, DLI Introductory French, Joint Logistics Course, and Joint Humanitarian Operations Course. COL Gleason is a published and award-winning military writer.

COL Gleason has earned the Combat Action Badge, Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Brevet Parachutist Badge (France). He is a Demonstrated Master Logistician, a member of the Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe, and a member of the Distinguished Order of Saint Martin.

Command Sergeant Major Adin Salkanovic’s Biography

Command Sergeant Major Adin Salkanovic is a native of Sarajevo. He enlisted into the United States Army on 13 August 1999 as an Armored Reconnaissance Specialist, graduating from One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Salkanovic has served in the following duty positions and organizations: Scout Driver, Scout Gunner, 3rd Battalion 8th Cavalry Regiment, Fort Cavazos, TX; Team Leader, Section Leader, Senior Scout F Troop 9th Cavalry Regiment (Brigade Reconnaissance Troop), Fort Cavazos, Texas; Senior Scout, Platoon Sergeant, Squadron Operations Sergeant 6th Squadron 9th Cavalry Regiment, Fort Cavazos, Texas; Brigade Operation NCO Observer Controller Trainer (OC/T), Joint Multinational Training Center, Hohenfels, Germany; First Sergeant, B Troop 1st Squadron 89th Cavalry Regiment, Fort Drum, New York; Senior

Cavalry Observer Controller Trainer (OC/T), 1st Battalion 360th Infantry Regiment, Fort Bliss, Texas, Squadron Operations Sergeant Major 1st Squadron 32nd Cavalry Regiment, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Brigade Rear-Detachment Command Sergeant Major, 1st BCT Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Squadron Command Sergeant Major 1st Squadron 33rd Cavalry Regiment, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Talent Manager, Force Shaping, HRC, Fort Knox. His six operational deployments include four tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and two tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Salkanovic’s military education include United States Sergeant Major Academy Course Class 68, First Sergeant Course, Senior Leaders Course, Advanced Leaders Course, Basic Leaders Course, Cavalry Leaders Course, Sniper Employment Course, Master Resilience Trainer Course, Battle Staff, Unit Movement Officer Course, Airload Planners Course, Basic Parachute Course and the Air Assault Course.

Salkanovic’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (4 OLC), Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), Army Commendation Medal with V device, Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (7 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, Iraq Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (with numeral 4), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (with numeral 3) and the NATO Medal. His badges include the Combat Action Badge, the Parachute Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Drivers Badge (W), and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold).

Salkanovic holds a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College. He also holds an Associate of Science in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College. He is a recipient of the Order of St George.