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MG Gary Cheek was commissioned a Second
Lieutenant of Field Artillery in May 1980 following his graduation
from the United States Military Academy. His first assignment was
1st Battalion 13th Field Artillery, 24th Infantry Division; the
same unit his father, Colonel Leon Cheek, served with during the
Korean War. While at Fort Stewart, Staff Sergeants Larry Walls and
Michael Jacques and Sergeants First Class Harrel Smith, Leroy King,
and Ira Todd were instrumental in the professional development of
then Lieutenant Gary Cheek.
MG Cheek later served in 2nd Battalion 28th Field
Artillery, VII Corps Artillery, US Army Europe as a battalion staff
officer and commander of Battery A. His Battery First Sergeant was
Stephen Williams. MG Cheek then served as an Exchange Officer at
the Canadian Field Artillery School in New Brunswick, Canada
followed by the Command and General Staff College and the School of
Advanced Military Studies. MG Cheek then returned to Fort Stewart,
GA where he served as a division plans officer and Executive
Officer for 1st Battalion 41st Field Artillery.
After serving at West Point as the Field
Artillery Branch Representative, MG Cheek commanded 1st Battalion
9th Field Artillery, 3d Infantry Division. His Command Sergeants
Major were Jerry Nelson and James Bryant. He then served as the
Senior Fire Support Observer/Controller at the National Training
Center. His Sergeant Major was Joe Smith. Upon completion of the US
Army War College, MG Cheek was assigned as the commander, Division
Artillery, 25th Infantry Division, and later as the commander of
Combined Task Force Thunder, CJTF-76 in Afghanistan. His Command
Sergeants Major were Hershel Turner, Ed Murrell, and Gene
Brewer.
MG Cheek was then assigned to the Joint Staff J-5
as a strategic planner for the war on terrorism and later to the
Army Staff as the Deputy for Strategy, Plans and Policy, G3/5/7. He
later served as the Commanding General of Warrior Transition
Command with Command Sergeant Major Ly Lac. He then served as the
Director of Military Personnel Management, G1 with Sergeant Major
Stanley Randolph.
MG Cheek is currently the Deputy Commanding
General, Third Army/US Army Central. He is married and has two
adult sons.
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