Joseph Votel

Joseph L. Votel
General Joseph L. Votel, Commander of United States Special Operations Command
Born	(1958-02-14) February 14, 1958 Minnesota, United States
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1980–present
Rank	General
Commands held	U.S. Special Operations Command Joint Special Operations Command Combined Joint Task Force 82 Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization 75th Ranger Regiment 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 10th Mountain Division
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal

Joseph Leonard Votel is a four-star general in the United States Army who currently serves as the 10th commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command. Prior to that, he served as commander of Joint Special Operations Command from June 2011 to July 29, 2014. He replaced Admiral William McRaven as commander of U.S. Special Operations Command on August 28, 2014.^[1][2][3][4]

Early career

General Votel attended the United States Military Academy and was commissioned in 1980 as an Army Infantry Officer. His initial assignments were to the 3d 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., and was subsequently selected to command the 1st Ranger Battalion at Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Ga. Following attendance at the Army War College, Votel commanded the 75th Ranger Regiment and participated in Operation Enduring Freedom,in Afghanistan, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, in Iraq. ^[3]

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 IED 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.^[3]

USSOCOM

On June 24, 2014, he was nominated by President Barack Obama to succeed ADM William 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.^[4] 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.^[3]

Awards and decorations

Combat Infantryman Badge with Star (denoting 2nd award)

Expert Infantryman Badge

Master Parachutist Badge with 2 Combat Jump Devices

Ranger Tab

United States Special Operations Command Badge

Army Staff Identification Badge

75th Ranger Regiment Combat Service Identification Badge

75th Ranger Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia

8 Overseas Service Bars

Egyptian Parachutist Badge

Defense Distinguished Service Medal

Army Distinguished Service Medal

Defense Superior Service Medal with 2 bronze 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

National Defense Service Medal with bronze Service Star

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Arrowhead Device

Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze Service Star

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with bronze Service Star

Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Arrowhead Device and silver Campaign Star

Iraq Campaign Medal with three Campaign Stars

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Army Service Ribbon

Army Overseas Service Ribbon with "3" Award Numeral Device

NATO Medal for service with ISAF with bronze Service Star

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References