Corps Chief

• Promoted on 11 July 2006
• 25th Chief, U.S. Army Dental Corps
• Currently the Commander, Army Medical Department Center & School
• Prior to this assignment, he was Commander, Dental Command (DENCOM)

Major General Russell J. Czerw became the Commander, US Army Medical Department Center and School and Fort Sam Houston on 11 July 2006. He became the Chief of the Army Dental Corps on 10 July 2006.

Major General Czerw was born and raised in Utica, New York. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1983 from Saint Lawrence University in Canton, New York where he was also a Distinguished Military Graduate from the school’s ROTC program. He received his dental degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo Dental School in 1987.

After graduating from dental school, he attended the Advanced Education in General Dentistry-One Year Program at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He then went to Pirmasens, Germany before taking over as the OIC of 1st Platoon, 124th Medical Detachment (DS) and the Muenchweiler Dental Clinic. After graduating from the two-year General Dentistry Residency Program at Fort Hood, Texas, he served as the Dental Corps’ Professional Development Officer in Alexandria, VA. He went on to Command the 464th Medical Company (DS) in Landstuhl, Germany and then became the Chief of the Dental Corps Branch, PERSCOM, in Alexandria, VA.

Major General Czerw commanded the 93rd Medical Battalion (DS) in Heidelberg, Germany after graduating from the Army War College in Carlisle, PA in 2002. During his tour, General Czerw deployed to Poland as the Task Force Medical Commander for Victory Strike III and to Iraq for Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom where he was a Task Force Commander for Dental, Preventive Medicine, Veterinary and Combat Stress Control units. His last assignment was Commander, US Army Dental Command, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Major General Czerw has completed numerous military and training schools. He wears the Expert Field Medical Badge and the German Abzeichen fur Leistungen (sports badge) in Gold. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medals (4OLC), Army Commendation Medal (1OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2OLC), Meritorious Unit Citation, Army Superior Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal (Bronze Star), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, GWOT Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Military Outstanding Voluntary Service Medal, NATO Medal and the Order of Military Medical Merit. He is a graduate of the Officers Advanced Course, the Army Command and General Staff College and the Army War College.

Major General Czerw has a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree and a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies. He holds the Surgeon General’s "A" Proficiency Designator and is a Diplomate of the Federal Services Board of General Dentistry and the American Board of General Dentistry. He is a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry, and is a member of various professional organizations. General Czerw has published numerous professional articles and has presented several lectures on dental and military subjects.