Joseph Votel

Joseph Votel

General Joseph L. Votel, Commander of United States Central Command
Birth name Joseph Leonard Votel
Born (1958-02-14) February 14, 1958
Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States[1]
Allegiance  United States of America
Service/branch  United States Army
Years of service 1980–present
Rank General
Commands held
Awards

Joseph Leonard Votel (born February 14, 1958) is a four-star general in the United States Army who currently serves as commander of United States Central Command. Before that, he served as commander of United States Special Operations Command.

Early career

Votel attended the United States Military Academy and was commissioned in 1980 as an Army Infantry Officer. His initial assignments were to the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany where he served as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, Battalion Adjutant and Rifle Company Commander.

Following this tour, he was assigned to Headquarters, Allied Forces Southern Europe – Naples, Italy, and the NATO Peace Implementation Force (IFOR) in Sarajevo. He commanded the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry (Light) at Fort Drum, N.Y. Later he commanded the 75th Ranger Regiment.

General Officer

As a general officer, Votel served in the Pentagon as the Director of the Army and Joint Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Defeat Task Force and subsequently as the Deputy Director of the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization established under the Deputy Secretary of Defense.

He also served as the Deputy Commanding General (Operations), 82nd Airborne Division / CJTF-82, Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan, and was subsequently assigned as the Deputy Commanding General of the Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C. His most recent assignment was as the Commanding General of the Joint Special Operations Command.[2]

USSOCOM

On June 24, 2014, he was nominated by President Barack Obama to succeed ADM William H. McRaven as the 10th Commander of United States Special Operations Command. In July, he was confirmed by Congress to be the next commander of USSOCOM. The change of command took place on August 28, 2014.[3] LTG Raymond A. Thomas replaced Votel as commander of Joint Special Operations Command.

Education

His military schools include Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, United States Army Command and General Staff College, and the United States Army War College.[2]

Awards and decorations

Combat Infantryman Badge with Star (denoting 2nd award)
Expert Infantryman Badge
Ranger Tab
Master Parachutist Badge with 2 Combat Jump Devices
Egyptian Parachutist Badge
Army Staff Identification Badge
  United States Central Command Badge
75th Ranger Regiment Combat Service Identification Badge
75th Ranger Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia
8 Overseas Service Bars
Defense Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Legion of Merit with bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Bronze Star Medal with 3 bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with 3 bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Joint Service Commendation Medal with bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal with bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Joint Meritorious Unit Award with Oak Leaf Cluster
Valorous Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Superior Unit Award
Bronze star
National Defense Service Medal with bronze Service Star
Arrowhead
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Arrowhead Device
Bronze star
Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze Service Star
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Device and silver Campaign Star
Iraq Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars
Bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with bronze Service Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze "3" Award Numeral Device
Bronze star
NATO Medal for service with ISAF with bronze Service Star
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Joseph L. Votel.

References

  1. https://www.congress.gov/113/chrg/shrg93919/CHRG-113shrg93919.pdf
  2. 1 2 , U.S. Department of Defense, dated 2014.
  3. Votel to succeed McRaven as SOCOM commander at MacDill, Tampa Bay Times, By Zack Peterson, dated 24 July 2014, last accessed 25 July 2014
Military offices
Preceded by
Ken Keen
Commander, 75th Ranger Regiment
20012003
Succeeded by
James C. Nixon
Preceded by
William H. McRaven
Commander, Joint Special Operations Command
20112014
Succeeded by
Raymond A. Thomas III
Preceded by
William H. McRaven
Commander, United States Special Operations Command
20142016
Succeeded by
Raymond A. Thomas III
Preceded by
Lloyd J. Austin III
Commander, United States Central Command
2016present
Succeeded by
Incumbent
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