Vincent K. Brooks

General Vincent K. Brooks is a retired United States Army four-star general known for his leadership of complex and strategically significant military commands. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Brooks held roles including commander of United States Forces Korea, United Nations Command, and the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, overseeing all U.S. and allied forces on the Korean peninsula. Earlier, he commanded United States Army Pacific, Third Army, and the 1st Infantry and 1st Cavalry Divisions, and served as the U.S. Central Command deputy director of operations during the Iraq War, where his role as chief operations spokesman brought him to international prominence.

Brooks was the first African American to serve as First Captain at West Point, the highest position for a cadet, and later became one of only a few African Americans to achieve the rank of four-star general. His presence during daily press briefings in the Iraq War earned him recognition as the face of the U.S. military in the media, demonstrating communication skills and the ability to represent the military in high-pressure, global situations. Brooks’s leadership extended to peacekeeping in Kosovo, armistice enforcement in Korea, and multiple combat tours in the Middle East and Central Asia, earning him honors including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal and the Army Distinguished Service Medal.

Since retiring from active duty, Brooks has contributed to national security and leadership development as a board director for public companies, a consultant with WestExec Advisors, and a fellow at policy institutions such as Harvard’s Belfer Center and the Clements Center for National Security. He holds an endowed chair at West Point, serves on the Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, and is a speaker on leadership, strategy, and global security. Brooks’s career reflects resilience, achievement, and a commitment to public service, establishing him as a voice in both military and civilian spheres. Keywords: military leadership, national security, U.S. Army, global strategy, defense policy, leadership development.