Army Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Papenfus is the assistant to the director of the Defense Information Systems Agency.
In this role, he helps lead a global organization of over 20,000 military, civilian and contractor personnel who plan, develop, deliver and operate joint, interoperable, command and control, and global enterprise infrastructure, in direct support of the president, secretary of defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, combatant commanders, Department of Defense components and other mission partners across the full spectrum of operations.
Prior to joining DISA, Papenfus served as the chief information officer/G-6 of U.S. Army Europe and Africa in Wiesbaden, Germany.
Papenfus has served in a variety of leadership positions within Army signal, space and cyberspace organizations at the tactical, operational and strategic levels. Other active duty and Army Reserve assignments include the Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Strategic Command, the First Army Division West, the Army Reserve Cyber Protection Brigade, the 98th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, the Task Force-Signal/160th Theater Strategic Signal Brigade and the Department of the Army Headquarters Office of the Chief Information Officer/G6.
Papenfus began his military career by enlisting in the Wisconsin Army National Guard. He was commissioned to active duty in the Signal Corps and branch detailed to the Armor Branch through the Marquette University ROTC program in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a Master of Business Administration from Webster University, a Master of Strategic Studies from the Air War College and a graduate certificate in crisis management from the George Washington University. His other military education highlights include the Space Operations Officer Qualification Course (FA-40A), the Information Systems Management Qualification Course (FA-53A), and the Canadian Forces College Joint Command and Staff Program.
Among Papenfus’ military awards are the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medals, along with various service and campaign medals. He also holds badges and honorary awards, including the fifth award of the “Das Abzeichen für Leistungen im Truppendienst,” the German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency.