National Security Speakers

Major General Horst (U. S. Army-Retired) is a graduate of the United States Army Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned as an Infantry officer in 1978. During his career he served in tactical assignments with the 3rd Infantry Division, the 9th Infantry Division, and the 82nd Airborne Division. Following 9/11, he served combat tours with the 82nd Airborne Division and the 3rd Infantry Division in Iraq. His last command assignment was as the Commanding General of the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region and the Military District of Washington.

Complementing his tactical experience, General Horst had staff responsibilities at several senior levels: Headquarters, Department of the Army; NATO Military Headquarters; U.S. European Command; U.S. Joint Forces Command; U.S. Northern Command; and finally at U.S. Central Command as the Chief of Staff. General Horst retired from active duty on October 1, 2013, after more than 37 years of enlisted and commissioned service.

Upon retirement, General Horst entered the public business sector as a consultant and an executive leader. Following his passion for leadership, General Horst authored the book “Common Sense Leadership,” with ten leadership tips from his time as a Soldier. While he lectures on leadership, he also leverages his experience from the Middle East, lecturing on the contemporary geo-political and religious challenges of the Middle East. Since partnering as a National Security speaker, General Horst and General Hood collaborate to lecture on a wide range of diverse and vexing national security issues from the Middle East, Europe, Africa, the Western Hemisphere, and the Asia Pacific region.