Categories: Archived Blogs

Military Connection: Pentagon Names New Commanders: By Debbie Gregory

By Debbie GregoryOn June 24, 2014 the Pentagon announced three nominations for major positions around the globe. Army General John Campbell has been nominated for head of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Navy Admiral Bill Gortney has been nominated to take over command of the U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and also head up the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Army Lt. General Joseph Votel has been nominated to take the reins of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).

Gen. Campbell, the son of an Air Force Senior Master Sgt., put on his fourth star in March of 2013. Gen. Campbell has been serving as the Army’s Vice-Chief of Staff since 2011. Gen. Campbell already has combat experience as commander of the 101^st Airborne in Afghanistan from 2010 to 2011. As the new head of ISAF, Gen. Campbell will be in command of 9,800 U.S. forces and as many as 4,000 NATO forces. He will be responsible for maintaining targeted counter-terrorism missions, and training Afghan forces. Gen. Campbell will be replacing Marine General Joseph Dunford, who will become the next commandant of the Marine Corps.

Adm. Gortney has combat experience as a naval aviator. Adm. Gortney has served as commander of a carrier strike group, as well as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet. The later is responsible for all U.S. naval forces in the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and portions of the Indian Ocean. Many have speculated that Adm. Gortney was on track to become the Chief of Naval Operations, which is the most senior officer in the Navy. While taking dual leadership roles as commander of both NORTHCOM and NORAD is a step up for the admiral, it may affect his chances for an eventual CNO nod. Admiral Gortney will be replacing Army General Charles Jacoby.

Lt. Gen. Votel will be promoted to 4-star General, and will take over as commander of USSOCOM. Gen. Votel will be replacing Navy Admiral William McRaven, who is retiring. Gen. Votel is currently the commander of the Joint Special Operations Command, where he also succeeded Adm. McRaven in 2011.

Military congratulates these officers on their prestigious appointments, and thanks them for their service.

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard & Reserve, Veterans and their Families. We are the go to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go to site.