Joseph Votel | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official portrait, 2016 | |
| Born | (1958-02-14)14 February 1958 (age 67) Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1980–2019 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | United States Central Command United States Special Operations Command Joint Special Operations Command Combined Joint Task Force 82 Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization 75th Ranger Regiment 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry,10th Mountain Division |
| Battles / wars | War in Afghanistan Iraq War |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3) Army Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal (3) Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star (4) |
| Alma mater | United States Military Academy (BS) United States Army Command and General Staff College (MS) United States Army War College (MS) |
Joseph Leonard Votel (born 14 February 1958) is a retired four-stargeneral in theUnited States Army who was commander ofUnited States Central Command from March 2016 to March 2019.[1] Before that, he served as commander of theUnited States Special Operations Command.
Votel most recently served as President and CEO ofBusiness Executives for National Security (BENS) – a national, nonprofit composed of senior business and industry executives who volunteer their time and expertise to assist the U.S. national security community.
Born on 14 February 1958, inSaint Paul, Minnesota,[2] Votel attended theUnited States Military Academy and was commissioned in 1980 as an Army Infantry officer.
His military schools include Infantry OfficerBasic and Advanced Courses, United States ArmyCommand and General Staff College, and the United StatesArmy War College.[3]
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Votel's initial assignments were to the3rd 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) atFort Drum, New York, and afterward commanded the1st Ranger Battalion. Later he commanded the75th Ranger Regiment duringOperation Enduring Freedom.[4] On 19 October 2001, Votel led 200 Rangers from3rd Battalion, who parachuted towards an airfield south of Kandahar in an operation known asOperation Rhino and attacked several Taliban targets.[5]
As ageneral officer, Votel served inthe Pentagon as the Director of the Army and Joint Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Defeat Task Force and subsequently as the deputy director of theJoint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization established under theDeputy 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 theJoint Special Operations Command,Fort Bragg. He next served as the Commanding General of the Joint Special Operations Command.[3]
On 24 June 2014, Votel was nominated by PresidentBarack Obama to succeed AdmiralWilliam H. McRaven as the 10th Commander ofUnited States Special Operations Command. The appointment was confirmed by Congress in July, and the change of command took place on 28 August.[6] Lieutenant GeneralRaymond A. Thomas replaced Votel as commander of Joint Special Operations Command.
Votel became the commander ofUnited States Central Command (USCENTCOM) on 30 March 2016. On 23 April 2018, Votel made his first official visit toIsrael as CENTCOM commander. During his visit, Votel was scheduled to meet withIsraeli Defense ForceChief of Staff,Gadi Eisenkot, National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, and other senior defense officials.[7]
As CENTCOM commander, Votel oversaw the United States' continuedWar on Terrorism in the Middle East, particularly theCombined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve'sfight against theIslamic State in Iraq and the Levant terror organization, which rose to prominence in 2014. The fight against the group saw CENTCOM become more involved in theSyrian civil war andIraqi Civil War.
After nearly 40 years of military service, Votel officially retired on 28 March 2019, five days after the decisiveBattle of Baghuz Fawqani, which saw the territorial collapse of the Islamic State in Syria. He was succeeded as CENTCOM commander by GeneralKenneth McKenzie, USMC.[8]
In a speech on 29 July 2016, Turkish PresidentErdoğan accused Votel of "siding with coup plotters",[9] after Votel accused the Turkish government of arresting the Pentagon's contacts inTurkey.[10]
Votel has served as the President and CEO ofBusiness Executives for National Security (BENS).[11] He also serves as a non-resident senior fellow at theBelfer Center for Science and International Affairs, strategic advisor toaerospace manufacturerSierra Nevada Corporation, and member of the board of trustees ofNoblis.[12]
 Combat Infantryman Badge with Star (denoting 2nd award) |
 Ranger Tab |
 Master Parachutist Badge with 2Combat Jump Devices |
 Egyptian Parachutist Badge |
 Army Staff Identification Badge |
 United States Central Command Badge |
 75th Ranger RegimentCombat Service Identification Badge |
 75th Ranger RegimentDistinctive Unit Insignia |
 8Overseas Service Bars |
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Commander of the75th Ranger Regiment 2001–2003 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Commander ofJoint Special Operations Command 2011–2014 | Succeeded by |
| Commander ofUnited States Special Operations Command 2014–2016 | ||
| Preceded by | Commander ofUnited States Central Command 2016–2019 | Succeeded by |
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