David M. Rodriguez
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This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2013) |
| David M. Rodriguez | |
|---|---|
 General David M. Rodriguez, USA Photo While Commander, U.S. Africa Command |
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| Nickname | Rod |
| Born | 1954/1955 (age 58–59)[1] West Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/branch |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1976–present |
| Rank |  General |
| Commands held | U.S. Africa Command U.S. Army Forces Command 82nd Airborne Division International Security Assistance Force Joint Command U.S. Forces - Afghanistan |
| Battles/wars | Panama Gulf War Iraq War Afghanistan War Mali War (2013) |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (5) Bronze Star Medal (2) |
David M. Rodriguez is a United States Army general who currently serves as the Commander, United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). Previously, he served as the Commanding General, U.S. Army Forces Command from 12 September 2011 until 15 March 2013. Rodriguez has also served as Commander, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command (IJC) and Deputy Commander, U.S. Forces - Afghanistan (USFOR-A) from 12 November 2009 to 11 July 2011.[2] Approved by the U.S. Senate on 5 March 2013, to take over AFRICOM from General Carter F. Ham, Rodriguez assumed command on 5 April 2013.[3]
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Biography [edit]
A native of West Chester, Pennsylvania, Rodriguez earned his commission from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1976.[4]
Rodriguez has commanded at every level across the United States Army. His previous assignment was as Commanding General of the United States Army Forces Command. Additionally, Rodriguez commanded the International Security Assistance Force - Joint Command (IJC) in Afghanistan; the 82nd Airborne Division; 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division; and 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). He also commanded companies of the 75th Ranger Regiment, and 1st Armored Division.[4]
Rodriguez’s extensive combat experiences include: G-3 Planner, XVIII Airborne Corps, Operation Just Cause, 1989–1990; Operations Officer, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, 1990–1991; Assistant Division Commander, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized), 2002–2003; Commander, Multi-National Division-Northwest, 2005; Special Assistant to the Commander, Multi-National Corps-Iraq, 2006; Commander, Joint Task Force-82 in Afghanistan, 2007–2008; and Deputy Commander, United States Forces Afghanistan and Commander, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command.[4]
Rodriguez holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College and a Masters of Military Art and Science from the United States Army Command and General Staff College.[4]
Awards & decorations [edit]
His military decorations include:[4]
Combat Infantryman Badge
Expert Infantryman Badge
Master Parachutist Badge
Air Assault Badge
Ranger Tab
Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
German Parachutist Badge
82nd Airborne Division CSIB
82nd Airborne Division DUI
10 Overseas Service Bars.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal |
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Defense Superior Service Medal |
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Legion of Merit (with four bronze oak leaf clusters) |
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Bronze Star Medal (with oak leaf cluster) |
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Defense Meritorious Service Medal |
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Meritorious Service Medal (with three oak leaf clusters) |
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Joint Service Commendation Medal |
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Army Commendation Medal (with two oak leaf clusters) |
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Joint Service Achievement Medal |
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Joint Meritorious Unit Award |
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Meritorious Unit Commendation (with oak leaf cluster) |
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National Defense Service Medal (with two bronze service stars) |
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Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |
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Southwest Asia Service Medal (with two service stars) |
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Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with service star) |
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Iraq Campaign Medal (with three service stars) |
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Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |
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Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |
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Korea Defense Service Medal |
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Army Service Ribbon |
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Army Overseas Service Ribbon (with award numeral "2") |
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NATO Medal for Yugoslavia |
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Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) |
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Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) |
On November 11, 2011, General Rodriguez received the prestigious Abraham Lincoln Award during a Veterans Day celebration at The Union League of Philadelphia. Union Leagues were founded during the Civil War to support President Abraham Lincoln and the preservation of the Union; Philadelphia's, established in 1862, was the first. First presented to Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, the award, which recognizes patriotism and service to country, has been bestowed on many distinguished civilian and military leaders, including former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan; U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Gen. David H. Petraeus and current Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, Gen. Raymond T. Odierno.[5]
Dates of rank [edit]
United States Military Academy class of 1976
| Second Lieutenant | First Lieutenant | Captain | Major | Lieutenant Colonel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-1 | O-2 | O-3 | O-4 | O-5 |
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| 2 June 1976 | 2 June 1978 | 1 August 1980 | 1 September 1987 | 1 April 1993 |
| Colonel | Brigadier General | Major General | Lieutenant General | General |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O-6 | O-7 | O-8 | O-9 | O-10 |
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| 1 August 1997 | 1 March 2002 | 15 July 2005 | 29 July 2008 | 12 September 2011 |
References [edit]
- ^ http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=FV&p_theme=fv&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=110EC7BB0F3B42F0&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM
- ^ "Lt. Gen. Rodriguez: What is the ISAF Joint Command"
- ^ "Rodriguez Succeeds Ham as Africom Commander". Defense.gov. 2009-03-12. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
- ^ a b c d e "General David M. Rodriguez, Commander". United States Africa Command. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
- ^ Jim Hinnant, FORSCOM Public Affairs Officer (November 11, 2011). "Rodriguez receives historic award, celebrates veterans in return to home area". U.S Army. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
- ^ Official biography
- ^ Sgt. Marcus Gable, 49th Public Affairs Detachment (September 12, 2011). "GEN Rodriguez takes command with promotion". U.S Army. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
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- Living people
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (United States)
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- Recipients of the Bronze Star Medal
- United States Military Academy alumni
- United States Army generals
- American military personnel of the Iraq War
- American military personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
- Recipients of the Army Commendation Medal
- Recipients of the Joint Service Commendation Medal
- Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal
- Recipients of the Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal
