LTC Justin Cunningham

LTC Justin Cunningham serves with the Simon Center for the Professional-Military Ethic at the United States Military Academy (USMA) in West Point, New York. He is an instructor for MX400 Officership, as well as a Simon Center Fellow, earning his Ph.D. at the University of Arkansas.

He is a native of Spokane, Missouri. He graduated from USMA with a B.S. in Russian. He commissioned as an Armor officer and was assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas, with the 1st Brigade (ABCT), 1st Infantry Division. There he served as tank platoon leader, executive officer, Battalion S4; and HHC commander. Following Maneuver Captains Career Course, LTC Cunningham was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne (AASLT) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, serving as an assistant operations officer and Blackhorse Troop commander in 1-32 CAV, and the HHC commander in 1-506 IN.

In 2018, he earned an M.A. in literature from the University of Missouri. Following graduate studies, he was assigned as an instructor with the Department of English & Philosophy (now the Department of English & World Languages) at USMA. LTC Cunningham was then assigned to 1st Brigade (SBCT), 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado, where he served as the squadron executive officer for 2-1 CAV and brigade executive officer for 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division.

LTC Cunningham’s operational deployments include Operation Enduring Freedom. His military education includes the Armor Officer Basic Course, the Maneuver Captains Career Course, the Command and General Staff College, Ranger School, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Cavalry Leaders Course, Tank Commanders Course, and Combatives Level 1.

LTC Cunningham’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (1 CS), Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (Num. 4), NATO Medal, Ranger Tab, Airborne Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.

He is married to the former Christy Hale of Spokane, Spokane. They have four daughters - Rori, Harper, Reagan, and Winifred - and reside in West Point.