Center welcomes new U.S. Army War College Fellow, Army soldiers

(Aug. 16, 2021)
Center welcomes new U.S. Army War College Fellow, Army soldiers

Lt. Col. CJ Phillips

The McConnell Center welcomes U.S. Army Lt. Col. CJ Phillips as the eighth U.S. Army War College Fellow at the University of Louisville. The one-year appointment will allow Phillips to take UofL classes to help broaden his strategic thinking and spend time with university leadership.

Phillips will join 30 other soldiers for the McConnell Center's upcoming Strategic Broadening Seminar for the U.S. Army. The month-long residential leadership program will take place at UofL Aug. 29 through Sept. 26. The program focuses on history and philosophical concepts essential to approach leadership and ways of war while facing the challenges of the 21st century.

Prior to his arrival at UofL, Phillips was assigned to U.S. Army Human Resources Command where he served as the readiness branch chief. Previous assignments include service as Chief of Strategy for the U.S. Army Pacific, Chief of Contingency Plans for the Joint Chief of Staff J35 and the Chief of Plans for Combined Joint Interagency Task Force Afghanistan.

Phillips received his commission as an aviation officer from the U.S. Military Academy in 2000 and transitioned to Army strategist in 2009. He is a graduate of the Aviation Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Airborne School, Command and General Staff College, Joint Forces Staff College and the U.S. Army War College Basic Strategic Arts Program.

Phillips is currently pursuing his Doctor of Strategic Leadership from Regent University. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Operation Enduring Freedom Campaign Medal, Basic Aviator Badge and the Parachutist Badge.