Mr. Luther Thomas Jr. currently serves as the Chief of Staff, 81st Readiness Division, Fort Jackson, SC. Prior to assuming his present assignment June 2024, he served as Command Executive Officer, Military Intelligence Readiness Command (MIRC), Fort Belvoir, VA.
As the Chief of Staff, Mr. Thomas provides executive oversight for regional Army Reserve military and civilian matters on a daily basis, and he manages and directs base operations in the nine-state Southeastern geographic area and Puerto Rico.
Mr. Thomas served in the Army and Army Reserve for over 35 years. During his military career, he held numerous active and reserve assignments and has held various leadership positions from the company level to the Department of Defense Staff.
In 2013, he was selected as the Command Sergeant Major of the Army Reserve. As the Command Sergeant Major of the Army Reserve, he effectively championed Soldiers’ issues and concerns with regards to training, readiness, and the health and welfare of the force. He also nurtured key relationships with the Army Staff, Department of Defense Staff, Members of Congress, and the National Commission on the Future of the Army.
In 2016, he was selected as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. In this position, he served as the Chairman of the Department of Defense (DOD) Reserve Forces Senior Enlisted Advisors Council. He served on the Department of Defense Blended Retirement Working Group that planned and evaluated the implementation of the Blended Retirement System.
Mr. Thomas deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 1, Operation Enduring Freedom VII&VIII, and mobilized in support of TF Katrina.
He holds an Associate Degree from Midlands Technical College, a Bachelors’ Degree from North Carolina State University, and a Master’s Degree from Touro University International. He has completed the Keystone Course at the National Defense University and the Senior Leaders Course at George Washington University.
His military awards and decorations include the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2), Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, NATO (ISAF) Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Overseas Ribbon (2), Department of Defense Staff Badge, Army Staff Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, and the Drill Sergeant Badge.