Major General (Ret.) Paul W. Brier '81 to Speak at VMI Class of 2027 Ring Figure

Distinguished combat veteran and former senior Marine Corps commander, Major General (Ret.) Paul W. Brier '81, will serve as the guest speaker for the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Class of 2027 Ring Figure. Major General Brier brings more than three decades of military experience and federal service to one of the Institute's most significant traditions. A member of the VMI Class of 1986, Brier commissioned through the NROTC scholarship program after earning his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. Over the course of a 36-year career, he served in the Gulf War, Iraq War, and Afghanistan War, holding multiple key leadership positions across the Marine Corps. His command assignments included the 3rd Battalion, 14th Marines; the 6th Civil Affairs Group in Iraq; the Marine Forces Central Command Coordination Element in Afghanistan; U.S. Marine Forces Europe; U.S. Marine Forces Africa; and, ultimately, the 4th Marine Division. As a General Officer, Brier's service included roles of national and international significance. He served as Deputy Commander of the Joint Force Maritime Component Command for Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn during contingency operations in Libya and the Mediterranean in 2011. He later served as the Assistant Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations at Marine Corps Headquarters in the Pentagon. His final active-duty assignment returned him to Afghanistan as Deputy Commander for Civil Outreach and Director of the Advise and Assist Directorate for the 41-nation NATO-led Resolute Support Mission. His personal awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, and the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" and gold star. Since retiring in 2016, Brier has continued his service in the civilian sector. A registered Professional Engineer, he currently serves as the Assistant Circuit Executive for the U.S. Courts of the Fourth Circuit, overseeing the facilities program for federal judiciary operations across five states. He also remains active in maritime training as an offshore skipper, coach, and mentor with the U.S. Naval Academy's Commanding and Seamanship Training Squadron, instructing Midshipmen in offshore sailing, navigation, leadership, and teamwork. Major General Brier's return to post for Ring Figure brings a leader whose career reflects the values central to the VMI and its Corps. His remarks to the Class of 2027 will highlight a weekend celebrating tradition and the welcome of the second class to the ranks of those who proudly wear the VMI ring. Please help The Cadet remain independent and cadet-run - The Cadet is 100% self-supporting through advertising and tax-deductible donations, true to its origins in 1871. Please make a tax-deductible donation to help us remain so at: https://thecadetfoundation.org/participate-and-support/