Army BG Eric P. Shirley assumed command of the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support on June 17, 2021. Under his leadership, DLA Troop Support annually provides more than $19 billion worth of food, clothing and textiles, construction and equipment, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and equipment, as well as industrial repair parts for America’s warfighters and other valued customers worldwide. To accomplish this mission, BG Shirley oversees a global workforce of approximately 2,300 civilian and military personnel.
A native of Casa Grande, Arizona BG Shirley was the Army ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate from the University of Arizona in 1993. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and was commissioned in the Regular Army as a Quartermaster Officer. In 2005 he earned his Master’s Degree in Military Art and Science upon graduation from the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. His military education includes the Quartermaster Officer Basic Course, the Combined Logistics Officer Advanced Course, the Command and General Staff Officer Course, the Advanced Military Studies Program, the Army War College Fellows Program at Stanford University and the Joint & Combined Warfighting School (JCWS).
BG Shirley’s assignments include Platoon Leader and Company Executive Officer 528th Quartermaster, Assistant S1, 80th Ordnance Battalion and Detachment Commander 81st Quartermaster at Fort Lewis, Washington (1994 – 1996); III Corps G4 Supply and Services Officer; Commander, Alpha Company 704th Division Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Division and Supply and Services Officer, Fort Hood Texas (1997 – 2001). He served as the Aide-deCamp to the Commanding General of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service at Dallas, TX where he deployed to Kuwait and Iraq in support of OIF I (2001-2003). Following Command and Staff College, he served as the G4 Division Logistics Planner for the 1st Cavalry Division and as Support Operations Officer for the Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team during a 15-month deployment to Iraq in support of OIF 06-08. BG Shirley served as the Professor of Military Science for Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri (2008 – 2010). He commanded the 193d Brigade Support Battalion, 4th MEB, 1st Infantry Division (2010 – 2012) and deployed to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan with the 1st Infantry Division Headquarters in support of OEF (2012 – 2013). BG Shirley served as the 8th TSC Support Operations Officer (2014 – 2016) and commanded the 407th Army Field Support Brigade (2016 – 2018). He served as the Chief of Staff of the Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan in Kabul (2018 – 2019). Upon redeployment, BG Shirley assumed duties as the Executive Officer to the Deputy Chief of Staff, G4, Department of the Army. In his previous assignment, BG Shirley served as the Chief of Staff of Operation Warp Speed, a White House directed HHS / DOD Task Force to accelerate the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics.
BG Shirley’s awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal (w/OLC), Legion of Merit (w/OLC), Bronze Star Medal (w/OLC), the Meritorious Service Medal (w/4OLC), the NATO Medal (w/ISAF clasp), Joint Meritorious Unit Award (W/OLC), Meritorious Unit Citation (w/2OLC) and the Army Parachutist Badge. He has been inducted as a Distinguished Member of the Regiment and into the Distinguished Order of Saint Martin for his service in the Quartermaster Corps. He has also been inducted into the Order of Samuel Sharpe. BG Shirley received the US Department of State’s Meritorious Honor Award and received the Polish Defense Minister’s Bronze Medal for service in Afghanistan.