Download full-resolution image

Lieutenant General John Brennan is assigned as the Deputy Commander, United States Africa Command, Stuttgart, Germany. He is responsible to the Commander for directing and enabling operations, activities, and investments for the command in order to promote the national security interests for the U.S. in the 11.2 million square mile USAFRICOM area of responsibility, consisting of 53 nations. USAFRICOM operates by, with, and through partners to counter transnational threats and malign actors, strengthen security forces, and respond to crisis in order to advance US national interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.

Prior to assuming his current position, Lieutenant General Brennan served as both the J3 Director of Operations and the Acting Deputy Commander--United States Special Operations Command from October 2022 to February 2024.

A career Special Forces Officer, Lieutenant General Brennan was commissioned in 1990 via ROTC from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering.

His assignments include: Commander, SFOD-As 324 & 325, and 1st Battalion, 3rd SFG S-3, Troop Commander, Squadron Operations Officer, and Squadron Commander--1st SFOD-D, Deputy J33--Joint Special Operations Command, XO to the Commander of U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Deputy Commander of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan, Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander of Special Operations Command - Central, Deputy Commanding General – Operations--101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and Deputy Commanding General of the Joint Special Operations Command. LTG Brennan commanded the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Syria, the Train, Advise, Assist - Command East (AFG), 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne), and most recently Combined Joint Task Force-Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.

Lieutenant General Brennan has deployed and commanded units in combat at every echelon between detachment and 2-star Joint task force-level in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, INHERENT RESOLVE, and FREEDOM'S SENTINEL.

He is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College and the U.S. Army War College Fellows Program at the University of North Carolina.

Lieutenant General Brennan and his wife of 34 years have two grown sons and one grandson.