LTC John R. Brooks, USA, Ret.
Class of 1977
Hometown: McBee, S.C.
Lieutenant Colonel John R. “Randy” Brooks entered the U.S. Army in 1977. During his distinguished career, he served in numerous assignments within both the Military Police Corps and the Military Intelligence Corps.
Throughout his service, he led the development of multiple state-of-the-art intelligence computer systems. During Operation Desert Storm, he directed the development of a national-level intelligence system that provided unprecedented detail—down to individual fighting positions—of the entire Iraqi Army. This system represented the most accurate ground-force intelligence available on Iraqi forces in Kuwait and southern Iraq at the time.
In 1995, he was selected to serve as the G-2 for the 4th Infantry Division, which had been designated as the Army’s Experimental Force—Task Force XXI—the first fully digital Army unit. Task Force XXI marked a significant step toward Information Age warfare. During this groundbreaking initiative, real-time, integrated enemy and friendly force locations were digitally delivered to individual vehicles and soldiers. This effort laid the foundation for the digital systems used daily by Army forces today.
Lieutenant Colonel Brooks’ military awards include the Legion of Merit (two Oak Leaf Clusters), the Bronze Star Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal (three Oak Leaf Clusters).
In 2024, he was inducted into the United States Army Military Intelligence Hall of Fame.
Following his military retirement, he continued a lifetime of service through senior leadership roles in the defense and national security industry. He concluded his civilian career as Chief Development Officer of Camber Corporation.
Throughout his career, Lieutenant Colonel Brooks exemplified The Citadel’s enduring values of Honor, Duty, and Respect.