Richard "Ross" Coffman is a retired United States Army lieutenant general who last served as the deputy commanding general for combat development of United States Army Futures Command from 2022 to 2024.[2][3] He previously served as director of the Next Generation Combat Vehicle Cross Functional Team from August 2018 to August 2022.[4] Coffman attended Harvard University, Embry Riddle University, and Centre College.

Richard R. Coffman
Official portrait, 2022
Nickname(s)Ross
AllegianceUnited States of America
BranchUnited States Army
Years of service1989–2024
RankLieutenant General
CommandsNext Generation Combat Vehicle Cross Functional Team, 1st BCT, 1st Armored Division, 1st Battalion, 64th Armored Regiment
Battles / warsIraq War, Desert Storm
Alma materHarvard University; Embry Riddle University; Centre College
Spouse(s)Jacqui Coffman[1]

Early life

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LTG Ross Coffman was commissioned by the University of Kentucky's ROTC program as a lieutenant in the Armor branch following his graduation from Centre College (Danville, KY) in 1989.[5] During his more than 30-year career he has served at the tactical, operational and strategic levels in the United States and overseas.        

Before being selected as the deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Futures Command, LTG Coffman was the director of the Next Generation Combat Vehicles Cross Functional Team, one of eight new Army units responsible for closing capability gaps in the Army's top transformation priorities. LTG Coffman also served in Eastern Europe as the deputy commanding general for maneuver in the 1st Infantry Division,[6] a storied Army formation known as “The Big Red One.” He is proud to have served throughout his career in superior units that were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the Valorous Unit Award, the Joint Meritorious Unit Citation, the Meritorious Unit Citation, and the Superior Unit Award. He has led Army efforts in Saudi Arabia, Bosnia, Europe, Haiti, Kuwait, Iraq, and the U.S.[7]

Civilian Education

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  • Bachelor's degree in Economics and Government from Centre College.[5]
  • Master in Business Administration from Embry Riddle University.[5]
  • Graduate Fellowship, Harvard Kennedy School.[5]

Military Education

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  • Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Courses.
  • United States Army Command and General Staff College.
  • Joint and Combined Warfighting School.

Publications and Media by Richard R. Coffman

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Coffman has published many videos and articles about his lessons in leadership throughout his career in the U.S. Army, including what impacts effective leadership, the importance of a human connection, team collaboration, and demonstrating care to enable collective success.

References

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  1. ^ "International Armoured Vehicles". International Armoured Vehicles.
  2. ^ "PN2075 - 1 nominee for Army, 117th Congress (2021-2022)". www.congress.gov. May 10, 2022.
  3. ^ "General Officer Assignment Announcement, dtd 28 June 2022". GOMO. Office of the Chief of Staff of the Army. June 28, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
  4. ^ "Major General Richard R. Coffman - General Officer Management Office".
  5. ^ a b c d "Brig. Gen. Richard "Ross" Coffman". 2023 Defense News Conference. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  6. ^ "Ross Coffman, Army Director Of Next-Gen Combat Vehicles - Potomac Officers Club". potomacofficersclub.com. September 24, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  7. ^ "International Armoured Vehicles". International Armoured Vehicles. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
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Military offices
Preceded by Deputy Commanding General (Maneuver) of the 1st Infantry Division
2017–2018
Succeeded by
New office Director of the Next Generation Combat Vehicle Cross Functional Team
2018–2022
Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Commanding General for Combat Development of the United States Army Futures Command
2022–2024
Succeeded by