Brigadier General Brian Horton enlisted in the US Army in October 1996 and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. In 1997 he graduated from Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry.
After attending Airborne School, the Infantry Officer Basic Course, and the Bradley Fighting Vehicle Leader's Course, BG Horton served as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Anti-Tank Platoon Leader, and the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop Executive Officer for 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Irwin, CA.
In 2001, BG Horton left Active Duty to pursue a civilian career. He also began his Army Reserve career with the 425th Civil Affairs Battalion in Santa Barbara, CA where he served as the Battalion Logistics Officer until December 2002. In January 2003, he deployed to Samarra, Iraq with the 418th Civil Affairs Battalion where he served as a Direct Support Team Operations Officer in support of the 4th Infantry Division. Upon redeployment, he returned to the 425th Civil Affairs Battalion where he led multiple Civil Affairs Teams and later assumed command of A Company, 425th Civil Affairs Battalion. From 2008 to 2009, A Company was deployed to Tikrit, Iraq where BG Horton served as the Commander to all military personnel assigned to the State Department-led Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Multinational Division - North. Upon redeployment, he continued to command A Company until June 2010. In July 2010, BG Horton was assigned to 2nd Brigade, Pacific Division, 75th Training Command in Denver, CO where he served as an Observer Controller/Trainer and Chief Observer Trainer. In June 2014, BG Horton assumed command of the 440th Civil Affairs Battalion, Fort Carson, CO. After relinquishing command in June 2016, BG Horton attended the resident US Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, PA where he graduated “Distinguished Graduate.” From July 2017 to July 2018 BG Horton served as Civil Affairs Planning Team Chief for the 364th Civil Affairs Brigade, supporting US Army First Corps’ Civil Military Operations throughout the US Indo-Pacific Command’s area of responsibility. In July 2018 he assumed command of the 364th Civil Affairs Brigade in Clackamas, OR where he served until April 2020. Upon relinquishing command, BG Horton served as the Civil Military Operations Chief and US Deputy C9 for the ROK-US Combined Forces Command in the Republic of Korea until August 2021. From August 2021 through October 2023, BG Horton served as the Chief of Staff for the 377th Theater Sustainment Command in Belle Chasse, Louisiana – the largest 2-star General Officer Command in the Department of Defense. BG Horton assumed command of the 351st Civil Affairs Command on 14 October 2023.
BG Horton holds a BA in English from Fresno Pacific University, and two master’s degrees – one in Management and Leadership from Liberty University, and one in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College. His professional military education includes the Civil Affairs Officer Advanced Course, the Combined Arms Services and Staff School, the Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College. His most distinguished awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (2 awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3 awards), Army Commendation Medal (4 awards), Army Achievement Medal (5 awards), Combat Action Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, and Parachutist Badge.
BG Horton has two adult children: Olivia and Maxon.