Lieutenant General Alan R. Lynn is Director, Defense Information Systems Agency and Commander, Joint Force Headquarters- Department of Defense Information Networks (DODIN), Fort Meade, Md.
As the director of DISA, he leads a global organization of military and civilian personnel who plan, develop, deliver, and operate joint, interoperable, command and control capabilities and a global enterprise infrastructure in direct support of the President, Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Combatant Commanders, Department of Defense components, and other mission partners across the full spectrum of operations.
As the Commander, Joint Force Headquarters – DODIN, he is in charge of the command and control of defensive cyberspace activities focusing on unity of command and unity of effort within the Department of Defense. He is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping the JFHQ-DODIN military and civilian force, which in turn is responsible for securing, operating, and defending the Department of Defense Information Networks.
LTG Lynn graduated as a ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate with a degree in English from the California University of Pennsylvania, California, Pa., in 1979. He was awarded a network engineering specialty from the Air Force Information Systems Officer Course in 1988. He also completed a Masters Degree in National Resource Management at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF) in 2000.
He was commissioned as an Air Defense Artillery Officer in 1979 and served as a Chaparral and Stinger Platoon Leader, Air Defense Fire Support Officer, and C Company Executive Officer, for the 1-51st Air Defense Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, Ft. Ord, Calif. After the Air Defense Artillery Advance Course, he attended the Defense Language Institute to learn Italian. In 1984, he commanded the 1-34th U.S. Army Nike Hercules special weapons warhead team in Italy.
LTG Lynn's branch transferred to the Signal Corps, and he initially served as the 5th Signal Command Training Officer until he was selected to command the 324th Signal Company, 72nd Signal Battalion supporting U.S. Army Europe's Main Command Post during the Cold War.
LTG Lynn attended the Signal Officer Advance Course at Ft. Gordon, Ga., and the Air Force Information Systems Officer's Course at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. He was then assigned as the Division Radio Officer for the 101st Airborne Division. In 1990, he served as the Brigade Signal Officer for the 1st Infantry Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, during operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM.
In June 1992, he graduated from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and returned to Europe where he served as the S-3 for the 97th Signal Battalion in Mannheim, Germany. He was then selected to command the 414th Signal Company as a field grade commander supporting Land Forces Central Europe (LANDCENT) also in Mannheim.
In 1997, he assumed command of the 13th Signal Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas. He deployed the battalion for Operation JOINT FORGE between 1998 and 1999, supporting Task Force Eagle, Multi-Nation Division (North), Tuzla, Bosnia-Herzegovina.
In 2000, LTG Lynn became an Action Officer in the Network Management Division of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, J6, at the Pentagon. Following the September 11th attack on the Pentagon, he was selected as Division Chief for the Commander in Chief (CINC) Operations and Support Division, J6.
LTG Lynn took command of the 3rd Signal Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas, in 2002. He deployed the brigade in combat to 66 locations throughout Iraq in Jan. 2004 and created one of the largest tactical communications network in the theater of operations.
In 2005, LTG Lynn was assigned to the Department of the Army Chief Information Officer (CIO)/G6 Office as the Division Chief for LandWarNet Integration Division. He was later selected to serve as the Executive Officer to the Army CIO/G6.
In 2007, LTG Lynn became the Chief of Staff for the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). Lt Gen Lynn managed the efforts of an 8,000-member global communications organization with a $6-billion-dollar annual budget.
In 2008, LTG Lynn was selected to command the 311th Signal Command (Theater), Fort Shafter, Hawaii, responsible for all Army communications in the Pacific.
On July 21, 2010, LTG Lynn became the Army's 35th Chief of Signal and the Commanding General of the U. S. Army Signal Center of Excellence at Fort Gordon, Ga., which is the Information Technology
University for all Army officers, noncommissioned officers (NCOs), soldiers, and warrant officers.
On Aug. 9, 2012, LTG Lynn assumed command of the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command, Fort Huachuca, Ariz., responsible for all Army communications worldwide. He also held the position of Deputy Commanding General for Network Operations, U.S. Army Cyber Command/2nd U.S. Army.
On Sept. 30, 2013, LTG Lynn assumed the duties of the Vice Director of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). He led the efforts of an 8,000-member global organization and managed a $10-billion-dollar annual budget.
LTG Lynn's awards and decorations include two Distinguished Service Medals, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, South West Asia Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon with 5 device, NATO Medal, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia Kuwait Liberation Medals, and parachutist and air assault badges.