Col. Jimmy Howell is the commander of the 2nd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 11th Infantry Division.
He is a native of Beaumont, Texas and was commissioned as an infantry officer from the United States Military Academy in 2002. He is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced courses as well as the College of Naval Command and Staff. Col. Howell recently completed a U.S. Army War College fellowship at Columbia University.
Col. Howell's notable assignments include platoon leader in 2-22 Infantry, 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division; platoon leader and company executive officer in 2nd Battalion, 75thRanger Regiment; company commander in 1-26 Infantry, 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division; assistant operations officer for 75th Ranger Regiment; company commander in 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, battalion operations officer for the 173d Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), J5 interagency chief for the Joint Improvised Threat Defeat Organization; battalion commander for the 3-21 Infantry, 1st Stryker Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, and executive officer to the superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He has nine combat deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria.
His awards and decorations include the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device, Combat Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Senior Parachutist Badge and Air Assault Badge.