Kudos to Shawn O’Brien, ’86, who was recently promoted to brigadier general in the New Hampshire Army National Guard. He will be serving as director of the Joint Staff, preparing senior staff members to execute domestic operations.

“The opportunity to serve at this level is a very humbling experience,” O’Brien says. “The young generation of service members that I work with drives me to become the best leader I can be and set an example of being a military professional.”

O’Brien carries with him years of service and experience. He was deployed for 15 months in Afghanistan from March 2005 to June 2006. In June 2010, he earned a master’s degree in strategic studies from the Army War College.

While at PSU, O’Brien majored in exercise physiology, with a minor in political science. One of O’Brien’s biggest influences at Plymouth was Dr. Thomas Schlesinger, a professor of political science and WWII US Army veteran, who made a lasting impression on O’Brien and prompted him to join the military.

“Dr. S. shared numerous stories with our class,” recalls O’Brien. “I respected that this man didn’t just talk about history, he was involved in historical events.”

O’Brien still looks back fondly on his days at Plymouth State, and his fraternity Alpha Theta, which consisted of several Army Reservists. He credits his four years at Plymouth State as the foundation for a successful career as a US Army infantry officer.

“I believe motivation is a fire from within,” O’Brien says. “If someone else tries to light that fire under you, chances are it will burn out quickly. I was very fortunate to have been influenced by professors, staff, and other students at Plymouth. Thirty years later the motivation and fire burns strong.”

In addition to his new position, O’Brien is also a full-time account manager with Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc. He lives in Fremont, NH, with his wife Kimberley Steadman O’Brien ’88. They have two daughters, Heather and Kelly, who are both away at college studying journalism.

Thank you, Brigadier General O’Brien. PSU salutes you! –Emmett Warren ’16

Tags:  Afghanistan Alpha Theta army reserve brigadier general Emmett Warren Kimberley Steadman O’Brien ’88 military New Hampshire Army National Guard ROTC service Shawn O'Brien Thomas Schlesinger Tom Schlesinger