BRIGADIER GENERAL CRAIG E. BENNETT

Assistant Adjutant General-Army, New Hampshire National Guard

Brigadier General Craig E. Bennett is Assistant Adjutant General-Army, New Hampshire National Guard. He also serves as Commander, New Hampshire Army National Guard. He serves as the principal assistant to the Adjutant General in all matters pertaining to the Army National Guard. General Bennett is responsible for all training, personnel and equipment as related to readiness and the resource planning, programming, budgeting and execution in support of operational requirements and readiness goals. He serves the Adjutant General as a principal advisor for joint policies, procedures and planning.

General Bennett received his commission in May 1989 through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps Program at Bryant University where he was the class Honor Graduate. After receiving his commission he served on active duty for over six years, with assignments with the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea and Fort Dix, New Jersey. From 1996 through 1999, he served as an Active Guard Reserve Soldier with the New Jersey Army National Guard as a Legal Advisor to the Adjutant General. Thereafter, he joined the Army Reserves and served as an International Law Officer with the 353rd Civil Affairs Command in Staten Island, New York. General Bennett was mobilized for 15 months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he served as the Executive Officer and International Law Officer of a provisional battalion of the 304th Civil Affairs Brigade providing support to the 1st Marine Division in Hillah, Iraq and thereafter to the 82nd Airborne Division in Ramadi, Iraq. Upon his return from mobilization, he was assigned as Command Judge Advocate, 353d Civil Affairs Command, Staten Island, New York. He most recently served as the Staff Judge Advocate and Commander, Land Component Command of the New Hampshire Army National Guard.

EDUCATION:

1989 Bryant University, Bachelor of Science, Business Management, Smithfield, Rhode Island
1992 Widener University School of Law, Juris Doctorate, Wilmington, Delaware
2009 United States Army War College, by correspondence
2009 United States Army War College, Master of Science, Strategic Studies, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. January 1993 - March 1993, Student, Judge Advocate General Officer Basic Course, Charlottesville, Virginia
2. March 1993 - June 1993, Legal Assistance Officer, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Casey, South Korea
3. June 1993 - May 1994, Brigade Trial Counsel, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Howze, South Korea
4. May 1994 - February 1995, Chief, Criminal Law & Special Assistant United States Attorney, Fort Dix, New Jersey
5. February 1995 - February 1996, Military Magistrate & Chief, Claims Officer, Fort Dix, New Jersey
6. February 1996 - June 1999, Legal Advisor to the Adjutant General of New Jersey, Headquarters State Area Command, New Jersey Army National Guard, Fort Dix, New Jersey
7. June 1999 - January 2000, Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 42nd Infantry Division, New Jersey Army National Guard, Fort Dix, New Jersey
8. February 2000 - April 2001, Judge Advocate, Detachment 2, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 42nd Infantry Division, New Jersey Army National Guard, Fort Dix, New Jersey
9. April 2001 - February 2003, International Law Officer, 353rd Civil Affairs Command, Fort Wadsworth, New York
10. January 2003 - March 2004, International Law Officer & Battalion Executive Officer, 304th Civil Affairs Brigade, Hillah and Ramadi, Iraq
11. March 2004 - September 2005, Command Judge Advocate, 353rd Civil Affairs Command, Fort Wadsworth, New York
12. September 2005 - February 2010, Staff Judge Advocate, New Hampshire Joint Force Headquarters, New Hampshire Army National Guard, Concord, New Hampshire
13. February 2010 - August 2010, Commander, Land Component Command, New Hampshire Army National Guard, Concord, New Hampshire
14. August 2010 - Present, Assistant Adjutant General-Army, New Hampshire National Guard, Concord, New Hampshire

AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:

Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Army Commendation (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Air Force Achievement Medal
Reserve Components Achievement Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
National Defense Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star)
Iraq Campaign Medal (with 2 Bronze Service Stars)
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Bronze Hourglass and M Device)
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Ribbon (with Numeral 2)
Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon
Navy Presidential Unit Citation
Joint Meritorious Unit Citation
Army Meritorious Unit Citation
Combat Action Badge
Parachutist Badge
German Efficiency Badge - Gold

CIVILIAN OCCUPATION:

Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Recycled Energy Development, Limited Liability Company (LLC) and one of seven executive committee members responsible for managing the strategic direction of the company. General Bennett's in-house corporate practice expertise is with contract law, mergers and acquisitions, energy regulatory law and litigation management.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS:

Admitted to practice law in Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania and Illinois
Member, Energy Bar Association

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:

Received the United States Army War College, Commandant's Award for Distinction in Research, Class of 2009, for his thesis paper titled: 'Middle Eastern Energy Security: Synchronizing Domestic and Foreign Policy'

Selected as a 2010-12 class 'Emerging Leader' by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:

Second Lieutenant USAR 19 May 1989
First Lieutenant USAR 2 July 1991
Captain USAR 1 August 1993
Major ARNG 20 March 1998
Lieutenant Colonel ARNG 26 January 2004
Colonel ARNG 26 April 2007
Brigadier General 6 August 2010

(Current as of September 2011)