Brigadier General Donald J. Currier serves as the Commander, California Army National Guard, a force of almost 17,000 Soldiers located throughout California. He previously served as Commander, 49th Military Police Brigade. During his time at the MP Brigade, BG Currier served two tours in Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
General Currier’s active military service began in 1976 as an enlisted Military Police Soldier. General Currier received his commission from the California State University Sacramento Reserve Officer Training Corps program in May 1982. General Currier has held numerous positions of increasing responsibility throughout his career as a military officer to include: Platoon Leader, Company Commander, Battalion Commander and Brigade Commander. General Currier first deployed as an Assistant Operations Officer for the 185th Military Police Battalion during Operation DESERT STORM, as commander of the 270th Military Police Company during Operation GARDEN PLOT, and then as the 49th Military Police Battalion Commander during the unit’s deployment for Operation NOBLE EAGLE. While serving as Deputy Commander of the 49th Military Police Brigade, General Currier served as Police Partnership Task Force Commander and was responsible for implementing the Police Training Team concept during the “Year of Police” in Iraq. He was promoted to Brigadier General in 2008 and returned to Iraq as the Commander, 49th Military Police Brigade in 2009 where he commanded over 9,000 Soldiers throughout the country.
General Currier is a graduate of the US Army War College, where he earned a masters degree in Strategic Studies. He earned his baccalaureate degree in Criminal Justice from CSUS and his juris doctorate of law from Lincoln University School of Law.
General Currier’s civilian occupation is a Supervising Superior Court Judge for the State of California in Sacramento County.
General Currier’s decorations include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (with 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (with 1 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters), National Defense Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star), Southwest Asia Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Service Stars), Iraq Campaign Medal (3 Campaign Stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Gold Hourglass, M device, and numeral 3), Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon (with numeral 4) Army Reserve Components Overseas Service Ribbon (with numeral 4), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Emirate of Kuwait), Combat Action Badge and the Army Meritorious Unit Commendation (with Oak Leaf Cluster). He is also the recipient of the Military Police Corps Order of Marechaussee bronze and silver medals.