Brigadier General Voris W. McBurnette was born in Philadelphia, PA. He began his military career in 1988 as an enlisted Soldier in the U.S. Army Reserve as a communications systems installer/ operator (31K) and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant (Infantry) in 1991 from Saint Augustine’ University.
Brigadier General McBurnette's key command and leadership assignments include: Commandant, Joint Forces Staff College, National Defense University, Norfolk, Virginia; Brigade Commander of the U.S. Army Pacific - Support Unit, Director of the Center for Applied Strategic Learning, National Defense University, Fort McNair, DC; Deputy Executive Director, U.S. Army Center of Military History, Fort McNair, DC; Battalion Commander, 2nd BN, 0317th Regiment, 3/98th DIV, 108th TC, Lynchburg, VA; Executive Officer/Senior Advisor, West, OPM-FSF, Riyadh/Jeddah, KSA, Executive Officer/Deputy Director, TF Vanguard/Historian 108th TNG CMD, Charlotte, NC; Chief, Force Structure Division, 108th TNG CMD, Charlotte, NC; HSC Advisor/Asst. Ops Officer, MTT 0330, IAG, 4th BCT, 1st CAV, Iraq, Company Commander, Delta Co. 1-323rd Regt. Durham, NC; and Mortar Platoon Leader and Infantry Platoon Leader, 1-315th IN BN(M) Philadelphia, PA.
Brig. Gen. McBurnette's military education includes resident Senior Service College and Intermediate Level Education (ILE). He holds several academic degrees to include a Bachelor of Arts in History from Saint Augustine's University in Raleigh, NC, a Master of Education in Educational Administration and a Master of Science in Adult and Continuing Education from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania (1994). He has also earned a Master of Arts in History (2001) and a Doctor of Education (2012), in Educational Administration and Supervision both from North Carolina State University. Brig. Gen. McBurnette is also a trained Professional Educator. He holds licenses as a Middle Grades Social Studies Educator, Principal (K-12), and a Superintendent of schools. He is also the Co-Author and Chief Editor of the command history, 108th Training Command: A History of Embracing Innovation and Shaping the Future from 1946-2010 (U.S. Government Printing Office, 2010).
His military awards and honors include: The Order of Saint Maurice (Centurion), from the National Infantry Association, The Combat Order of the Spur 3rd Squadron / 4th Cavalry Fort Hood (service in Iraq), the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster), National Defense Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Silver Hourglass and "M" Device), Army Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (with 2 Bronze Service Stars), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab and Parachutist Badge.
Brigadier General McBurnette and his wife have one child.