Justin Cunningham

Lieutenant Colonel Justin Cunningham is a native of Spokane, MO. He graduated from the United States Military Academy with a BS in Russian. LTC Cunningham commissioned as an Armor Officer, and was assigned to Fort Riley, KS with the 1st Brigade (ABCT), 1st Infantry Division. There he served as Tank Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, Battalion S4, and HHC Commander. Following Maneuver Captains Career Course, LTC Cunningham was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne (AASLT) at Fort Campbell, KY. There he served as the Assistant Operations Officer and Blackhorse Troop Commander in 1-32 CAV, and the HHC Commander in 1-506 IN.

In 2018 he earned an MA in Literature from the University of Missouri. Following graduate studies, he was assigned as an Instructor with the Department of English and Philosophy at the United States Military Academy at West Point. LTC Cunningham was then assigned to 1st Brigade (SBCT), 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, CO. Here he served as the Squadron Executive Officer for 2-1 CAV and then as the Brigade Executive Officer for 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division.

Lieutenant Colonel Cunningham’s operational deployments include Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Lieutenant Colonel Cunningham’s military education includes the Armor Officer Basic Course, the Maneuver Captains Career Course, the Command and General Staff College, Ranger School, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Cavalry Leaders Course, Tank Commanders Course, and Combatives Level 1.

Lieutenant Colonel Cunningham’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (1 CS), Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (Num. 4), NATO Medal, Ranger Tab, Airborne Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.

Lieutenant Colonel Cunningham is married to the former Christy Hale of Spokane, Missouri. They have four daughters—Rori, Harper, Reagan, and Winifred. They currently reside in West Point, NY. LTC Cunningham is currently an instructor for MX400 Officership at the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic. He is currently a Simon Center fellow earning his PhD at the University of Arkansas.