Colonel Daniel R. Kent

Commander, Europe District

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District
Published July 5, 2023

Colonel Daniel R. Kent assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District on July 5, 2023. Europe District provides engineering, construction management, and general services in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe, Africa, and Israel, continuing the legacy of U.S. Army engineer support in Europe since 1945. Headquartered in Wiesbaden, Germany, Europe District and its nearly 500 military, civilian, and contracted employees execute a program in excess of $7.3 billion with projects in 44 countries.

Kent commissioned in the Corps of Engineers in 1999. He was assigned as a Platoon Leader in 44th Engineer Battalion at Camp Howze, Korea. He was reassigned to 565th Engineer Battalion (Provisional) in Hanau, Germany, where he served as the Battalion Maintenance Officer, Executive Officer for the 502nd Engineer Company (Assault Float Bridge), and deployed to Pristina, Kosovo in 2002 and Iraq in 2003 while serving as Assistant Battalion Operations Officer. Kent was later assigned to Headquarters, 3rd Infantry Division, where he served as the Iraqi Security Forces Engineer and Division Engineer Training Officer in Baghdad, Iraq, 2005. He was then reassigned to 1st Brigade Combat Team and served as the Current Operations Officer before assuming command of Echo Company, 3‐69 Armor in Ramadi, Iraq in 2007.

Kent next served as a Detailed Inspector General for U.S. Army Cadet Command, Fort Knox, Kentucky. He later served as the Battalion Executive Officer for the 6th Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Airborne) and Brigade Operations Officer for the 2nd Engineer Brigade at Joint Base Elmendorf‐Richardson, Alaska. As the Brigade Operations Officer, he deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2014. He was then selected as the Army G3 Regional Fellow at the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii, and later served as the Engineer Operations Officer for U.S. Army Pacific, Fort Shafter, Hawaii.

Kent then commanded the 249th Engineer Battalion (Prime Power) at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. During his tenure, the Battalion was permanently stationed in five states, persistently deployed to six countries and supported critical missions for Missile Defense Agency, Space and Missile Defense Command and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Kent next served as the Command Engineer for U.S. Special Operations Command Africa, Kelley Barracks, Germany, supporting Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy special operations forces conducting operations, exercises, and theater security cooperation throughout Africa.

Prior to assuming command of Europe District, he was assigned to U.S. Army Europe and Africa. He served briefly as the Chief of Operations before transitioning to Security Assistance Group – Ukraine as the Director of Operations. In this role, he coordinated security assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Kent holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Michigan, a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri‐Rolla, a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National War College and is a registered Project Management Professional. His military training includes the Engineer Officer Basic Course, Engineer Captains Career Course, Inspector General Course, Joint Engineer Operations Course, the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the National War College.

His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal. He has earned the Combat Action Badge, Ranger Tab, Sapper Tab, and Parachutist Badge.