Lt. Col. Kirbyson assumed duties as the Deputy Chief of Staff in January 2024 and additionally serves as the Division Chief for the CBRN Analysis and Force Modernization Cell, Joint Task Force Civil Support (JTF-CS), since January 2023. Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Chief of Operations and as a Future Plans Officer with JTF-CS.
Lt. Col. Kirbyson is a native of Saint Augustine, Florida. He graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2006 with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Aeronautical Science. He earned his Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School in September 2019, in addition to completing Joint Professional Military Education Phase I.
As a junior officer, Lt. Col. Kirbyson served as a Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, and Assistant S3 within the 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, GA. Lt. Col. Kirbyson held two commands while assigned at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, CA, as the commander for A Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR) and HHT, 1st Squadron, 11th ACR. Lt. Col. Kirbyson’s broadening assignment includes serving as a Light Infantry Observer-Coach/Trainer (OC/T) Team Chief and Maneuver S3 OC/T while assigned to 1st Battalion, 307th Infantry Regiment, 174th Infantry Brigade, 1st Army Division, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL), NJ. While assigned as a Maneuver S3 OC/T at JBMDL, Lt. Col. Kirbyson was accepted for voluntary transfer to Functional Area 52 (Nuclear and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction).
Lt. Col. Kirbyson deployed to the Al Anbar Province, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn from July 2010 to March 2011.
His personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.
Lt. Col. Kirbyson’s Additional Skill Identifiers include CWMD Advisor and Nuclear Target Effects Analyst.