Leo A. Brooks, Jr. was born in 1958, the son of Major General Leo A. Brooks, Sr., [Honoree Record ID 210443] U.S. Army (Ret.). Brooks attended Sacramento's Jesuit High School in 1975. He then attended the U.S. Military Academy where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1979. He earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1990.

Brooks began his military career as a rifle and anti-tank platoon leader with the 1-503rd Infantry, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Subsequent to those assignments, Brooks served as the Aide-de-Camp to the Assistant Division Commander for Operations and then commanded C Company, 3rd Battalion, 327th Infantry (Air Assault). Brooks spent four years assigned to the 1st Battalion, 75th Infantry Ranger Regiment, where he was the Battalion S-4 and Commander of A Company (1986-88).

Following three years in the Republic of Korea as a Ground Operations Officer in the Joint Staff of the Combined Forces Command, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, where he was the Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment and the Deputy G3 of the Division. In January 1994, Brooks was assigned as Aide-de-Camp to the Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army and later took command of 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. Upon completion of Battalion command, Brooks was assigned as the Chief of Operations for the XVIII Airborne Corps G3.

After attending the Army War College, Brooks assumed command of the 1st Brigade, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. Brooks was next assigned to the 1st Armored Division, serving as the Assistant Division Commander for Maneuver. In 2002, Brooks was promoted to Brigadier General and became West Point's 68th Commandant of Cadets.

Brigadier General Brooks retired from active duty in 2006.

Medals, Awards, Badges & Tabs

Legion of Merit (2 Awards)
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (5 Awards)
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal (3 Awards)
National Defense Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon
Multinational Force and Observer's Medal
Expert Infantryman's Badge
Master Parachutist Badge
Pathfinder Badge
Air Assault Badge
Ranger Tab

Honors

Brooks was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the New England School of Law. In 2007, Brooks was honored by the Secretary of the Army with the Freedom Team Salute Award for outstanding service to the nation. Additionally, he received the Black Engineer of the Year 2009 Military Leadership Stars & Stripes Award and 2011 Special Recognition Alumni Award.

In Retirement

Brooks joined the Boeing Company in August 2006 and is currently serving as Vice President, National Security & Space Group, for the Boeing Company's Government Operations in Washington, DC. In this capacity, he serves as the company's senior corporate liaison with the Pentagon, NASA, and the Department of Homeland Security. Before taking his current position, Brooks served as the Vice President, Army Systems Business Development for Boeing Defense, Space and Security.

Brooks is currently a Senior Fellow of the Syracuse University, Maxwell School of Government, National Security Studies Program. Brooks serves on the Board of Trustees of Norwich University, Board of Directors of the District of Columbia College Access Program and Advisory Board of Directors of the Association of the United States Army.

Family

On 2 July 2013, his younger brother, Vincent Keith Brooks, [Honoree Record ID 210435] was promoted to the four-star rank of General and assigned as Commanding General, U.S. Army Pacific Command.