COL Russell Lemler

COL Russell Lemler commissioned into the Field Artillery in 2001 from West Point and began his career as a battery fire direction officer and company fire support officer in the 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He served as a battery executive officer and battalion assistant operations officer for 3-7 Field Artillery in Ghazni, Tarin Kowt, and Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Following the Field Artillery Captain’s Career Course, he commanded Alpha Battery, 1-19 Field Artillery, Fort Sill, OK. He then completed a Ph.D. in management at Columbia Business School while serving as an assistant professor in USMA’s Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership (BS&L). Following Command and General Staff College, he deployed as the U.S. Central Command Forward-Jordan chief of fires and executive officer to the Commanding General, U.S. Armed Forces Jordan.

COL Lemler redeployed to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, TX, as the brigade fire support officer and lead planner for U.S. Africa Command multinational exercises in Gabon and the Netherlands. He completed his time in the 1st Armored Division as the executive officer of 2-3 Field Artillery.

He took the role of professor of military science at Seton Hall University from 2016-19 and then returned to BS&L to serve as the Military Leadership Program director. He commanded the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, Fort Drum, NY, from April 2022 to June 2024. He additionally commanded Al Asad Airbase in Iraq from July 2023 to April 2024 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

COL Lemler has been married for over 23 years to Carly Lemler of Mesa, Arizona, also USMA class of 2001. Their daughter Elinor is a USMA cadet, and their son Grant is attending Harvard University as an Army ROTC cadet.