Prior to that he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Pan American University.

Garrison entered the U.S. Army as a private in July, 1966, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1967 after graduating from officer candidate school.

He was then promoted through the ranks as Colonel, Brigadier General and Major General as the youngest officer to hold those ranks.

Garrison has held various command positions including recent assignments as Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg; Commander, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta at Fort Bragg; and Deputy Commander, U.S. Army Intelligence Security Agency, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command in Washington, D.C.

Garrison served two full tours in the Vietnam War, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for valor with four Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart. He has also been awarded the Legion of Merit Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal and Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.

Most recently he served as Commander of the United Nations peace-keeping force on the Sinai Peninsula amidst opposition from forces in the Near East. He also led a Special Forces group in an effort to capture Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid.

While at SHSU on Friday afternoon, Garrison will visit with military science cadets.