Colonel Lawrence E. Dudney Jr., director of the Joint Staff, was promoted in early October to the rank of Brigadier General. Dudney led the brigade through its recent transition from a heavy mechanized brigade to a light infantry brigade as part of the U.S. Army's transformation to a highly mobile expeditionary force.

The General began his military career as an enlisted soldier. He was a 13E Cannon Fire Direction Specialist with Battery C 2nd Battalion 214th Field Artillery. He was later commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in Field Artillery from Officer’s Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

In November of 1990, he volunteered to join the 1st Battalion 230th Field Artillery that was mobilized with the 48th Infantry Brigade for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. During mobilization, he served as the Assistant Brigade Fire Support Officer. After mobilization BG Dudney remained in the 48th Brigade and served as a Battalion Fire Support Officer and Brigade Fire Support Officer. BG Dudney also commanded the 1st Battalion 214th Field Artillery and the 1st Battalion 118th Field Artillery.

In December of 2000, BG Dudney was accessed into the Title X program and assigned to Headquarters’ Department of the Army working in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs (G8) in the Army Quadrennial Defense Review Office. In April 2002, BG Dudney reported to Korea and was assigned as the Senior Army National Guard Advisor for United States Forces Korea and Eighth United States Army located in Yongsan Garrison, Korea. Following his tour in Korea, BG Dudney returned to Georgia and was assigned as the Deputy Commander for the 48th Infantry Brigade and deployed with the brigade for Operation Iraqi Freedom. On 1 November 2006, BG Dudney assumed command of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

He holds a Bachelors’ of Science Degree in Education from Georgia Southern University, a Master’s Degree from Georgia College and State University in Educational Administration and Supervision, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg University and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College.

BG Dudney’s awards and decorations include the Soldier’s Medal, Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (4th Award), Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (1 Bronze Star), Southwest Asia Service Medal (1 Bronze Star), Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Liberation of Kuwait Medal (Government of Kuwait), Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge and Canadian Parachutist Badge. He is a member of the Honorable and Ancient Orders of Saint Barbara and a recipient of the Order of Saint Maurice. BG Dudney has also received the Valley Forge Cross of Heroism from the National Guard Association of the United States for his actions on September 11th while assigned to the Pentagon. In 2003, Dudney was inducted into the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Georgia.