Michael Kurilla

Michael Kurilla
Michael Kurilla
	Kurilla in 2025
Birth name	Michael Erik Kurilla
Nickname	Gorilla
Born	16 May 1966; California, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Army
Service years	1988–2025
Rank	General
Commands	United States Central Command; XVIII Airborne Corps; 82nd Airborne Division; 75th Ranger Regiment; 2nd Ranger Battalion; 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment
Conflicts	Operation Just Cause; Gulf War; Operation Uphold Democracy; Iraq War Battle of Mosul; ; War in Afghanistan; Operation Inherent Resolve; Operation Prosperity Guardian; Iran–Israel war Operation Midnight Hammer; ;
Awards	Army Distinguished Service Medal (2); Defense Superior Service Medal (4); Legion of Merit (2); Bronze Star (5); Purple Heart (2)
Alma mater	United States Military Academy (BS); Regis University (MBA); National War College (MS);

Michael Erik Kurilla (born 16 May 1966) is a retired United States Army general who served as the 15th commander of United States Central Command from 2022 to 2025. He previously served as the commanding general of XVIII Airborne Corps from 2019 to 2022 and before that as the chief of staff of Central Command from 2018 to 2019.

Kurilla was born in California and raised in Minnesota. He was commissioned in 1988 upon graduating from the United States Military Academy and has served as an infantry officer in the United States Army. During his career he has been deployed during conflicts in Panama, Haiti, the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and his notable commands have included the 75th Ranger Regiment and the 82nd Airborne Division. Kurilla was awarded two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star with valor during the Iraq War.