Brigadier General Bryan Howay currently serves as Commanding General (Acting) of First Army Division East. He is dual-hatted as Commander, Land Component Command, Kentucky National Guard.
He served as a Platoon Leader and Executive Officer in Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Regiment; Commander of Echo Company, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Regiment. He served as Commander, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Regiment, and deployed the unit to Bratunac, Bosnia and Herzegovina, from 2002-03. BG Howay served as Operations Officer (Air) and Operations Officer-in-Charge, Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 1st battalion, 149th Infantry Regiment, and deployed to Iraq from 2006-2007. He served as the Operations Officer for the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.
BG Howay served as Commander of 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Regiment, and deployed to Balad, Iraq, in 2010. He served as Deputy Commander of the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade; Executive Officer and then Commander of 75th Troop Command; Joint Operations Officer (Training), then Operations Officer-in-Charge, and Chief of Staff, Kentucky Joint Force Headquarters.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Arts in Secondary Education from the University of Louisville. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College with a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies; the Infantry Officer Basic Course; Armor Officer Advanced Course; the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College; and Senior Leader Development Seminar.
His awards and decorations include Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (1 OLC), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (3 Bronze Stars), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Pathfinder Badge.