The Next Army Chief of Staff

General Dempsey is currently the commander of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Monrow, Virginia.  Here is his official biography.  Source:  TRADOC website.

General Dempsey assumed the duties of Commander, United States Army Training and Doctrine Command on December 8, 2008 after serving as Acting Commander U.S. Central Command.

General Dempsey graduated from the United States Military Academy and was commissioned as an Armor officer in June 1974. His first duty assignment was in the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, where he served as a Scout and Support Platoon Leader and Squadron Adjutant. In January 1979, after completing the Armor Officer Advanced Course, General Dempsey became the Motor Officer for 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry, at Fort Carson, Colo. Later, he commanded Alpha and Headquarters Troops, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry, as well as serving as the Squadron Operations Officer.

In August 1982, General Dempsey began studies at Duke University, earning a Master’s Degree in English, and upon completion in 1984 was assigned to the English Department at West Point. He performed duties as an instructor, and later assistant professor, in the department until summer 1987, when he was assigned to the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., where he earned a Master’s Degree in Military Art and Science. In July 1988, General Dempsey reported to the 3rd Armored Division in Friedburg, Germany, where he served as the Executive Officer of 4th Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, and then became Operations Officer and later Executive Officer for 3rd Brigade, 3rd Armored Division, deploying in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In July 1991, General Dempsey assumed command of the 4th Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division.

In summer 1993, after five years in Germany, General Dempsey was assigned as Chief of the Armor Branch at U.S. Total Army Personnel Command. He then continued his studies at the National War College in 1995, earning a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. In July 1996, General Dempsey returned to Fort Carson, taking command of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. Following this assignment, he served as the Assistant Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs Europe and Africa J5 and Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C., from July 1998 through September 2001. From September 2001 to June 2003, General Dempsey served as Program Manager, Saudi Arabian National Guard Modernization Program, Saudi Arabia. General Dempsey left Saudi Arabia in June 2003 to take command of the 1st Armored Division and deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After completing 14 months in Iraq, General Dempsey redeployed the division to Germany and completed his command tour in July 2005. In August 2005, General Dempsey returned to Iraq and assumed command of the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq until summer 2007, when he departed for his next assignment as Deputy Commander of U.S. Central Command. In August 2007, General Dempsey assumed the position of Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command, and served as Acting Commander, U.S. Central Command, from March 28, 2008 to Oct. 30, 2008.

General Dempsey’s awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and “V” Device, the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.