Joseph Votel
| Joseph Votel | |
|---|---|
|
General Joseph L. Votel, Commander of United States Central Command | |
| Birth name | Joseph Leonard Votel |
| Born |
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 | |
.jpg)
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 |
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Joseph L. Votel. |
References
- ↑ https://www.congress.gov/113/chrg/shrg93919/CHRG-113shrg93919.pdf
- 1 2 , U.S. Department of Defense, dated 2014.
- ↑ 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 2001–2003 |
Succeeded by James C. Nixon |
| Preceded by William H. McRaven |
Commander, Joint Special Operations Command 2011–2014 |
Succeeded by Raymond A. Thomas III |
| Preceded by William H. McRaven |
Commander, United States Special Operations Command 2014–2016 |
Succeeded by Raymond A. Thomas III |
| Preceded by Lloyd J. Austin III |
Commander, United States Central Command 2016–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |