Stephen Maranian

{{Infobox military person

| honorific_prefix =

| name = Stephen J. Maranian

| honorific_suffix =

| image = Stephen J. Maranian (5).jpg

| image_upright =

| alt =

| caption = Official portrait, 2022

| native_name =

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| nickname = Steve{{cite web|url=https://www.armywarcollege.edu/leadership/index.cfm|title=Leadership - Army War College|access-date=2021-06-03|website=U.S. Army War College}}

| birth_date =

| birth_place = Natick, Massachusetts, U.S.

| death_date =

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| allegiance = United States of America

| branch = United States Army

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| serviceyears = 1988{{ndash}}2023

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| rank = Major General

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| commands = 56th Artillery Command
United States Army War College
Army University
United States Army Field Artillery School
19th Battlefield Coordination Detachment
4th Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment
Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Cavalry Division Artillery
Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery

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| awards = Army Distinguished Service Medal (2)

Legion of Merit (6)
Bronze Star Medal (2)
Meritorious Service Medal (5)
Army Commendation Medal (7)
Air Force Commendation Medal (2)
Army Achievement Medal (5)
Order of National Security Merit (Republic of Korea)
Land Forces Emblem of Honor (Romania)
Senior Parachutist Badge

| memorials =

| alma_mater = Bucknell University
Webster University
United States Army Command and General Staff College
United States Army War College
Defense Language Institute

| spouse = {{marriage|Cynthia Maranian|c. 1994}}

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Stephen J. Maranian is a retired major general who served in the United States Army from 1988 to 2023. Commissioned as a Field Artillery officer, Maranian served continuously on active duty, commanding from the platoon to the two-star level. In his final assignment he served as commanding general of the 56th Artillery Command in Mainz-Kastel, Germany from 2021 to 2023. Maranian served in combat deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq and more than half of his career was spent overseas. Maranian holds two master's degrees and is a graduate of both the United States Army Command and General Staff College and the United States Army War College; he has also graduated from the NATO Defense College and the Defense Language Institute.

His other General Officer commands included serving as commandant of the United States Army War College from July 2020 to August 2021, and as commandant of the United States Army Field Artillery School from June 2016 to May 2018 while dual-hatted as director of the Long Range Precision Fires Cross-Functional Team from October 2017 to May 2018. Other assignments as a General Officer included serving as the deputy commanding general of the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea from May 2018 to May 2019 and as the deputy commanding general for education of the United States Army Combined Arms Center, provost of the Army University, and deputy commandant of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College from June 2019 to July 2020.

In August 2021, Maranian was selected to activate and command the 56th Artillery Command in Mainz-Kastel, Germany. The 56th Artillery Command is the U.S. Army's only Theater Fires Command and as such it is the senior Field Artillery command in the European/African areas of responsibility. Maranian activated the 56th in a ceremony held on November 8, 2021.

Education

File:2013 AWC graduation - Colonel Stephen Maranian and Colonel Ruth Collins.jpg Association's Lifetime Membership Award by Colonel Ruth Collins, U.S. Army (Retired) at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, in June 2013.]]

Maranian grew up in Natick, Massachusetts, where he attended elementary through high school.{{cite web |url= https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/20200106/natick-native-promoted-to-major-general|title= Natick native promoted to major general|date= January 12, 2020|publisher= Metro West Daily News|accessdate= July 25, 2021}} He graduated from Bucknell University in 1988 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Maranian also holds two master's degrees, one in Human Resources Development and one in Strategic Studies. He is a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College, the latter where he served as the student class president for the Resident Class of 2013.{{cite web |url= https://www.army.mil/article/237813/army_war_college_leadership_passed_mg_john_kem_to_mg_stephen_j_maranian|title= Army War College leadership passed, MG John Kem to MG Stephen J. Maranian|author= Robert Martin|date= August 3, 2020|publisher= www.army.mil|accessdate= July 27, 2021}} He also attended the NATO Defense College, and the Greek Language Course (honor graduate) at the Defense Language Institute.{{cite web |url= https://www.armywarcollege.edu/leadership/docs/Maranian.pdf|title= Major General Stephen (Steve) J. Maranian|author= armywarcollege.edu|date= |publisher= U.S. Army War College|accessdate= July 25, 2021}}

Career

Commissioned as a Field Artillery officer in 1988, Maranian has led units from the platoon to the two-star level. He is a combat veteran, with deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait. In total, he has served 13 total overseas deployments and tours totaling 18 of his 35 years of active service{{cite web |url=https://www.europeafrica.army.mil/Who-We-Are/Leadership/Leaders-Article-View/Article/3117712/commanding-general-of-56th-artillery-command/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812032231/https://www.europeafrica.army.mil/Who-We-Are/Leadership/Leaders-Article-View/Article/3117712/commanding-general-of-56th-artillery-command/|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 12, 2022|title = Commanding General 56th Artillery Command| accessdate= April 14, 2023}}

Maranian's commands began at the battery level with two units in the 1st Cavalry Division: Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, Division Artillery, and Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery—both in Fort Hood, Texas, and the latter also in Kuwait. His battalion command was with the 4-319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment within the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Bamberg, Germany and forward deployed for 15 months to Afghanistan. He also commanded the 19th Battlefield Coordination Detachment at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.{{cite web |url= https://www.army.mil/article/83234/new_commander_takes_19th_bcd_helm|title= New commander takes 19th BCD helm|author= Mindy Cambel|date= July 9, 2012|publisher= www.army.mil|accessdate= July 27, 2021}}

In 2015–2016, Maranian served as the chief of staff of the U.S. Army Africa/Southern European Task Force in Italy, participating in events such as the African Land Forces Summit 2016.{{cite web |url= https://www.army.mil/article/159892/us_tanzanian_planners_map_road_to_alfs_2016|title= US, Tanzanian planners map road to ALFS 2016|author= Jason Welch|date= December 14, 2015|publisher= www.army.mil|accessdate= July 27, 2021}} In June 2016, Maranian transitioned to become the commandant of the Field Artillery School and chief of Field Artillery at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma.{{cite web |url= https://www.army.mil/article/169427/ada_fa_schoolhouses_get_new_leadership|title= ADA, FA schoolhouses get new leadership|author= Cindy McIntyre|date= June 9, 2016|publisher= www.army.mil|accessdate= July 25, 2021}} Subsequently, he served as the Director for the U.S. Army's Long Range Precision Fires (LRPF) Cross-Functional Team through May 2018, which comprised members of organizations from across the U.S. Army and Marine Corps with the purpose of focusing of modernizing "field artillery forces to be able to deliver lethal, long-range precision fires in order to be able to compete, deter and win on the modern battlefield".{{cite web |url= https://www.army.mil/article/202479/army_looking_to_build_on_long_range_precision_fire_capabilities_modernize_firepower|title= Army looking to build on long-range precision fire capabilities, modernize firepower|author= Joe Lacdan|date= March 28, 2018|publisher= www.army.mil|accessdate= July 27, 2021}}{{cite web |url= https://www.kswo.com/story/38217256/retreat-ceremony-for-brigadier-general-stephen-maranian-at-fort-sill/|title= Retreat ceremony for Brigadier General Stephen Maranian at Fort Sill|author= Andrew Brasier|date= May 17, 2018|work= www.kswo.com|publisher= ABC 7 News|accessdate= July 25, 2021}} His following assignment was as the deputy commanding general for maneuver of the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea. In June 2019, Maranian assumed the post of Combined Arms Center–Education deputy commanding general, Army University provost and CGSC deputy commandant.{{cite web |url= https://www.ftleavenworthlamp.com/community/2019/12/05/maranian-promoted-to-major-general/|title= Maranian promoted to major general|author= ftleaven|date= December 5, 2019|publisher= Ftleavenworthlamp.com|accessdate= July 25, 2021}} He was promoted to Major General on December 2, 2019.{{Cite web |title=Maranian promoted to MG |url=https://usacac.army.mil/node/2547 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416142633/https://usacac.army.mil/node/2547 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |access-date=2023-04-16 |website=usacac.army.mil}}

In July 2020, he assumed the duties as the commandant of the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.{{cite web|publisher=USAWC Public Affairs|url=https://www.armywarcollege.edu/news/article/1612|title=USAWC Change of Command, July 30|date=2020-07-22|access-date=2021-06-03|website=U.S. Army War College}} With the school's provost, MG Maranian "directed revisions and innovations in curriculum and teaching methodologies; and hired faculty with expertise in emerging issues, e.g., futures, data analysis, and environmental security". Also, under his tenure, the "Strategic Studies Institute and Center for Strategic Leadership refocused their ideas and expertise in analysis and experimentation to align with pressing strategic issues".{{cite web |url= https://www.army.mil/article/249383/new_assignments_announced_for_mg_stephen_j_maranian_mg_david_c_hill|title= New assignments announced for MG Stephen J. Maranian, MG David C. Hill|date= August 13, 2021|publisher= www.army.mil|accessdate= September 29, 2021}}

File:General Stephen Maranian and Command Sergeant Major Darrell Wiesbaden Germany.jpg in Wiesbaden, Germany on November 8, 2021.]]

In August 2021, the Chief of Staff of the Army announced that he would be assigned as the commanding general of the 56th Field Artillery Command.{{cite web|title=General Officer Assignments|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2728305/general-officer-assignments/|access-date=2021-08-12|website=U.S. Department of Defense|language=en-US}} He relinquished command of the Army War College to Major General David C. Hill on August 31, 2021 {{cite web|url=https://www.armywarcollege.edu/leadership/docs/Hill.pdf|title=Major General David C. Hill|access-date=2021-09-01}} and assumed command of the 56th Artillery Command on November 8, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.europeafrica.army.mil/Portals/19/documents/Biographies/Bio_56AC_CG.pdf?ver=AvZmTb2mkYfZz5BkDQgfnA%3d%3d|title=Commanding General - 56th Artillery Command|access-date=2021-11-13}} As commanding general of the 56th Artillery Command, Maranian focused the command on building interoperability with NATO Allies through personal engagement with the senior leaders of NATO armies, and through the unit's exercise program. During 2022, the 56th's exercises tested new concepts for linking artillery forces. During Exercise Dynamic Front '22 in July, 2022 the unit successfully paired a U.S. artillery brigade with a multinational fires brigade comprising 11 nations, with NATO's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps providing command and control; a notable "first".{{cite web |url= https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2022/10/13/us-artillery-officials-nudging-european-armies-to-link-their-big-guns|title= US artillery officials nudging European armies to link their big guns|author= Sebastian Sprenger|date= October 13, 2022|publisher= Defense News|accessdate= December 5, 2022}} Maranian's interoperability efforts were notable in the high north, visiting Scandinavian and Baltic nations and exercising interoperability in bi-lateral training events.{{cite web |url= https://www.stripes.com/branches/army/2022-09-28/himars-sweden-latvia-ukraine-russia-7501316.html|title= Hi, HIMARS: Army goes barnstorming around Europe with acclaimed rocket system|author= JOHN VANDIVER|date= September 28, 2022|publisher= Stars and Stripes|accessdate= December 28, 2022}}

In early 2023, Maranian continued efforts to enhance NATO armies' artillery interoperability visiting several Allied nations, hosting an International Fires Warfighting Forum in Wiesbaden, Germany, and setting conditions for the Dynamic Front 2023 Exercise in Grafenwöhr, Germany and Oksbøl, Denmark.{{cite web |url= https://www.joint-forces.com/world-news/defence-news/61095-himars-demonstrated-in-estonia|title= HIMARS Demonstrated in Estonia|date= January 9, 2023|publisher= Defence News|accessdate= February 20, 2023}} Exercise Dynamic Front 23 proved to be the most significant Artillery interoperability exercise that the NATO Alliance had every conducted bringing together 18 nations to demonstrate technical, procedural and human interoperability. The exercise included a number of "firsts" including operating over a live Mission Partnered Environment, inclusion of Naval Gunfire, and simultaneous execution of live fire in three nations - Denmark, Germany, and Romania.{{cite web |url= https://www.army.mil/article/265480/56th_artillery_command_leads_exercise_dynamic_front_23| author= Casey Slusser| title= 56th Artillery Command leads exercise Dynamic Front 23| date= April 4, 2023|publisher=US Army|accessdate= April 13, 2023}}

On February 17, 2023, the Army announced that BG Andrew Gainey would succeed Maranian in command of the 56th Artillery Command.{{cite web |url= https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3301827/general-officer-assignments/| title= General Officer Assignements| date= February 17, 2023| publisher=US Army General Officer Management Office| accessdate= April 13, 2023}} The change of command took place on July 11, 2023, with Gainey becoming the second commander of the Army's only Theater Fires Command. Maranian retired in a small ceremony in Wiesbaden, Germany on July 14, 2023.{{Citation |title=Maj Gen Maranian's Retirement Ceremony |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWyQ3vpSAwU |access-date=2023-07-16 |language=en}}

Effective dates of promotions

class="wikitable"

!Rank

!Date

{{Dodseal|USAO1-2015|115}} Second lieutenant

|May 25, 1988

{{Dodseal|USAO2-2015|115}} First lieutenant

|September 30, 1990

{{Dodseal|USAO3-2015|115}} Captain

|February 1, 1993

{{Dodseal|USAO4-2015|115}} Major

|June 1, 1999

{{Dodseal|USAO5-2015|115}} Lieutenant colonel

|June 1, 2005

{{Dodseal|USAO6-2015|115}} Colonel

|September 1, 2010

{{Dodseal|USAO7|115}} Brigadier general

|May 2, 2017

{{Dodseal|USAO8|115}} Major general

|December 2, 2019

Awards and decorations

style="width:100%;"

| valign="top" |

{| class="wikitable"

| colspan="2" |U.S. military decorations

{{ribbon devices|border|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}

|Army Distinguished Service Medal (with one bronze oak leaf cluster)

{{ribbon devices|border|number=5|type=oak|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}}

|Legion of Merit (with one silver oak leaf cluster)

{{ribbon devices|border|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Bronze Star ribbon.svg|width=106}}

|Bronze Star (with one bronze oak leaf cluster)

{{ribbon devices|border|number=4|type=oak|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}

|Meritorious Service Medal (with four bronze oak leaf clusters)

{{ribbon devices|border|number=6|type=oak|ribbon=Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}

|Army Commendation Medal (with one silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters)

{{ribbon devices|border|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Air and Space Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}

|Air Force Commendation Medal (with one bronze oak leaf cluster)

{{ribbon devices|border|number=4|type=oak|ribbon=Army Achievement Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}

|Army Achievement Medal (with four bronze oak leaf clusters)

style="background:#ccf; text-align:center;"

| colspan="2" |Unit awards

106x106px

|Joint Meritorious Unit Award

{{ribbon devices|border|number=2|type=oak|ribbon=Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}}

|Meritorious Unit Commendation (with two bronze oak leaf clusters)

{{ribbon devices|border|number=2|type=oak|ribbon=Army Superior Unit Award ribbon.svg|width=106}}

|Army Superior Unit Award (with two bronze oak leaf clusters)

style="background:#ccf; text-align:center;"

| colspan="2" |U.S. service (campaign) medals and service and training ribbons

{{ribbon devices|border|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}

|National Defense Service Medal (with one bronze service star)

106x106px{{!}}

|Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

{{ribbon devices|border|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Afghanistan Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}

|Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one campaign star

{{ribbon devices|border|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Iraq_Campaign_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=106}}

|Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign stars

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary_Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=106}}

|Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Service Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=106}}

|Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Korea Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=106}}

|Korea Defense Service Medal

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=106}}

|Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Service Ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=106}}

|Army Service Ribbon

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Overseas Service Ribbon.svg{{!}}border|width=106}}18x18px18x18px

|Army Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral 12

style="background:#ccf; text-align:center;"

| colspan="2" |International and Foreign Awards

106x106px{{!}}

|NATO Meritorious Service Medal

106x106px{{!}}

|Order of National Military Merit, Cheonsu Medal (Republic of Korea)

|Land Forces Emblem of Honor (Romania)

106x106px{{!}}

|NATO Medal for Service with ISAF

| valign="top" |

class="wikitable"

| colspan="2" |Other Accoutrements

align="center" |90x90px

|Combat Action Badge

align="center" |90x90px

|Senior Parachutist Badge

align="center" |90x90px

|Canadian Parachutist Badge

align="center" |90x90px

|Army Staff Identification Badge

References

{{s-ttl|title=Commandant of the United States Army Field Artillery School|years=2016–2018}}

{{s-ttl|title=Deputy Commanding General for Maneuver of the 2nd Infantry Division|years=2018–2019}}

{{s-ttl|title=Provost of the Army University and Deputy Commandant of the United States Army Command and General Staff College|years=2019–2020}}

{{s-ttl|title=Commandant of the United States Army War College|years=2020–2021}}

{{s-ttl|title=Commanding General of the 56th Artillery Command|years=2021–2023}}

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:Living people

Category:Place of birth missing (living people)

Category:People from Natick, Massachusetts

Category:Military personnel from Massachusetts

Category:Bucknell University alumni

Category:Webster University alumni

Category:United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni

Category:United States Army War College alumni

Category:Defense Language Institute alumni

Category:United States Army generals