Biography

LTC Andrew Cairns was born in Ocean County, New Jersey and grew up in Barnegat, NJ where he attended Southern Regional High School. After graduation, LTC Cairns attended Rutgers University where he studied History and Political science while participating in the Army ROTC Program.

LTC Cairns commissioned in January 2007 and branched Field Artillery. After completing the Basic Officer Leader Course 2 and Field Artillery Officer Basic Course he moved to Fort Carson, Colorado, and began working as the Fire Support Officer in Alpha Troop, 1^st Squadron 10^th Cavalry Regiment. During the assignment to A/1-10 CAV, LTC Cairns deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he served as a Fire Support Officer, Troop Intelligence Officer and Scout Platoon Leader in Wasit, Babil, Najaf, and Basra provinces. Shortly after redeployment, LTC Cairns transitioned to B/1-10 CAV where he served as the Troop Executive Officer during reset operations and decisive action training environment operations. Upon completion of his XO time, LTC Cairns moved to the Squadron Staff to serve as an Assistant Operations Officer (Current Operations) and later (Plans Officer). While on the Squadron Staff, LTC Cairns deployed to Kandahar Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Following the deployment, LTC Cairns reported to Fort Sill to attend the Field Artillery Captain’s Career Course.

In 2013 and after completion of FACCC, LTC Cairns reported to 2^nd Brigade, 1^st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas to serve as the Squadron Fire Support Officer for 5^th Squadron, 4^th Cavalry Regiment. During his tenure with 5-4 CAV, LTC Cairns conducted a Branch Transfer to Armor Branch and assumed responsibilities as the SQDN S-4 prior to taking command of Comanche Troop and later Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 5-4CAV. During his command of HHT/5-4 CAV, LTC Cairns deployed his Troop to Jordan where he oversaw the training and development of the Jordanian Border Guard Force in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Following redeployment from Jordan, LTC Cairns served at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, as a rotational planner and a company observer, coach, trainer with the Lizard and Tarantula Teams. While at NTC, LTC Cairns was selected for promotion to Major and resident Command and General Staff College.

Upon completion of his assignment at the National Training Center, LTC Cairns attended the Naval War College in Newport Rhode Island where he earned a master’s in strategic studies and National Defense.

Following the USNWC, LTC Cairns served as the Executive Officer for 1^st Battalion, 29^th Infantry, at Fort Benning Georgia and 1^st Armor, 68^th Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team at Fort Carson.

After completing his key developmental assignments, he moved to the Pentagon to serve on the Army Staff. During his tenure on the Army Staff, LTC Cairns served in the HQDA G-8 as a staff synchronization officer for the Stryker Family of Vehicles, the Director of Materiel Executive Officer and later the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Talent Management Task Force.

LTC Cairns’ most recent assignment was with V CORPS Forward in Poznan, Poland where he served as the Training and Exercises Deputy.