Colonel Daniel C. Alder is the Joint Task Force-Bravo Commander. In his previous assignment he served as the J5 Plans Director and then as the Deputy Commander at Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR).
He received his commission as an Infantry Officer from Officer Candidate School at Fort Moore, GA, in 1999. He is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Maneuver Captain's Career Courses, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Ranger School, Special Forces Qualification Course, Military Free-Fall Basic Course, and the Command and General Staff College at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security.
Prior to his arrival at SOCEUR, Col. Alder attended and graduated from the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, PA with a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies. Prior to Senior Service College, he was assigned to the United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, where he served as Executive Officer to the Commanding General.
Previous command assignments include service as an Infantry Rifle Platoon Leader, Scout Platoon Leader, Special Forces Detachment Commander, Special Forces Company Commander and Special Forces Battalion Commander of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group.
His non-command assignments include: Special Forces Battalion Operations Officer, Special Forces Group Operations Officer, Aide de Camp of the Commanding General at the Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command - Afghanistan, Deputy Combined Joint Operations Officer at both Combined Joint Special Operations Command - Afghanistan and at the Special Operations Joint Task Force - Afghanistan, and the Division Chief G33/35 at the United States Army Special Operations Command.
COL Alder holds a Master of Science from the American Military University. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, OEF Campaign Medals, the Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the Military Free-Fall Badge, the Combat and Expert Infantryman Badges, the Ranger Tab, and the Special Forces Tab.