COL John J. Geis III is the Chief of Staff at the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington. Originally from Fort Bragg, California, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into Military Intelligence upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1998.
COL Geis started his military career in 1991 as a Radio-Telephone Operator in the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. In 1993, he received an appointment to the United States Military Academy Preparatory School, followed by an appointment to the United States Military Academy in 1994. His initial assignment as an officer was to the 1st Infantry Division in Germany. COL Geis served as a Military Intelligence Platoon Leader and Military Intelligence Liaison to the Russian Battalion during KFOR 1A with the 101st Military Intelligence Battalion. He then moved to the Division’s Cavalry Squadron, 1st Squadron, 4th US Cavalry, where he served as the Squadron Assistant S2. During his time with 1-4 Cavalry, he transitioned from Military Intelligence to Armor and then served as a Scout Platoon Leader and the Squadron Maintenance Officer.
After completing the Armor Captain’s Career Course, COL Geis was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division in Fort Riley, Kansas. He served as the 1st Brigade’s Current Operations Officer and Plans Officer during Operation Iraqi Freedom 1.5 through 2.5. Upon returning from Iraq, COL Geis took command of D Troop, 4th US Cavalry, Brigade Reconnaissance Troop, followed by his second command of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Upon completing his time at Fort Riley, COL Geis was assigned to the Reserve Officer Training Corps as an Assistant Professor of Military Science at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. During his time at James Madison University, he served as the Battalion Operations Officer and Executive Officer. After the Command and General Staff College, he was assigned to Fort Richardson, Alaska, with the 4th Brigade (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division. COL Geis served as the Squadron Operations Officer and Executive Officer with 1st Squadron, 40th US Cavalry in Operation Enduring Freedom 11-12.
Upon returning from Afghanistan, he then served as the Brigade’s Executive Officer. After his time in Alaska, COL Geis transitioned overseas to serve with the British Army as an Exchange Officer. During his time in the United Kingdom’s 1st (UK) Division in York, he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff, G5 Plans, focusing on multinational operations and interoperability with other nations. On June 29, 2016, COL Geis took over as the Battalion Commander of the 1st Battalion, 305th Infantry Regiment, under the 177th Armored Brigade at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. While assigned to the 1-305th, he oversaw Observer, Coach and Training management, and the Battalion’s overall partnership relations with ten National Guard Battalions spanning seven states, focusing on increasing training readiness and warfighting capacity of his partner units. On July 2, 2018, COL Geis assumed the duties of the Syria Branch Chief for the Joint Staff Directorate for Strategy, Plans and Policy (J5), Middle East Division. Prior to his current role, COL Geis served as the Director of Operations (J/G-3), for Joint Task Force-National Capital Region and the United States Military District of Washington position. COL Geis’ education includes a master’s degree in National Security Strategy with a concentration in irregular warfare from the National War College and a bachelor’s degree in Mapping, Charting and Geodesy from the United States Military Academy. COL Geis has a number of awards and decorations to include the Combat Action Badge and the Parachutist Badge.
COL Geis is married to the former Lisa Zavage, and together they have three children: Alex (17), Cassidy (15), and Bridgette (13).