Major General Patrick M. Higgins
Director, Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization, J8
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Major General Patrick M. Higgins
Director, Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization, J8
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MG Patrick M. Higgins was born on 23 August 1958 in New York City, New York. Following graduation from Hofstra University in 1980 he was commissioned in the Infantry. MG Higgins served as a Platoon Leader in the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment at Camp Hovey, South Korea. Following this assignment, he served as Executive Officer and Company Commander in Company B, 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. Additionally, while assigned to the 82nd, he served as the 2nd Brigade S-3 Air, and Assistant S-3. After attendance at the Infantry Officer’s Advanced Course, and the Special Forces Qualification Course, he was assigned as Detachment Commander, ODAs 573, 574, 584, and Battalion S-4 for 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, NC. He then served as an Assignments Officer in Special Forces Branch at PERSCOM in Washington, DC. Next, he Commanded Company B, and then served as Battalion XO in 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Campbell, KY. Following this assignment, he served as an Action Officer in the Special Operations Division of the Operations Directorate, The Joint Staff, in the Pentagon. In his next assignment he commanded 2nd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), at Fort Campbell, KY. Following battalion command, he served as the Special Forces Branch Chief at PERSCOM in Washington, DC. After attendance at the U.S. Army War College, he assumed duties as the Operations Officer for US Special Operations Command, Central (Airborne), at MacDill Air Force Base, FL, where he participated in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. MG Higgins next commanded the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, NC, where he participated in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. MG Higgins was then assigned to the US Joint Special Operations Command (Airborne). Following his tour at US Joint Special Operations Command MG Higgins was tasked with standing up and assuming command of the nation’s newest Theater Special Operations Command - US Special Operations Command - Africa (Airborne). MG Higgins was assigned as the Commander of Joint Forces Special Operations Component Command - Iraq under United States Forces - as part of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Prior to his current assignment, MG Higgins’ last command was Deputy Director for Requirements J8, Joint Staff from Aug 2010 - Apr 2011.
MG Higgins’ awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal (2 OLC), the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with V device and OLC, the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (5 OLC), the Joint Staff Identification Badge, the second award of the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, the Special Forces Tab, the Ranger Tab, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Military Freefall Parachutist’s Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and several awards of foreign parachutist badges.
MG Higgins’ family includes his wife, the former Susan Hauge from Mitchell, South Dakota, and his daughters Sarah, Emily, and Jessica.
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