Colonel Charles W. Kean is a native of Austin, Texas. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1997.
Colonel Kean assumed the role of Deputy Commander at U.S. Army South in August 2023. Prior to this, he served as the Commander, 5th Battlefield Coordination Detachment in U.S. Army Pacific, the Chief of Staff for the United States Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority; the Executive Officer for two Superintendents of the United States Military Academy; and the Commander, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, where he deployed in support of OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE (Iraq).
In addition to these assignments, Colonel Kean has served in key leadership positions at the tactical and operational levels to include Battalion Executive Officer and Operations Officer deployed in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (Afghanistan); Assistant Fire Support Coordinator deployed in support of OPERATION NEW DAWN (Iraq), Battery Commander deployed in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (Iraq); and Battalion Fire Support Officer deployed in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (Iraq) and OPERATION JOINT GUARDIAN (Kosovo).
His military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Canadian Forces Command and General Staff College, and the United States Army War College. He holds master’s degrees in National Security and Strategic Studies and Defense Strategic Studies.
His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (sixth award), Meritorious Service Medal (fifth award), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (sixth award), Valorous Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation (fifth award), National Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NATO Medal (second award), the Air Assault Badge, and the Combat Action Badge.