On March 22, General Lloyd Austin became the first African American to lead the U.S. Central Command, which has a wide-ranging area of responsibility for 20 countries in the Middle East and southwest Asia.
“General Austin brings to this position combat experience gained on the unforgiving battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. He has commanded some of the Army’s most storied formations, including the 82nd Airborne and 10th Mountain Divisions, as well as the 18th Airborne Corps,” Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said during the change of command ceremony.
“With his calm demeanor, strategic vision, regional experience and knowledge, and proven judgment – and with the love and support of Charlene and their children – I am confident General Austin is prepared to lead this command at a time of dramatic change, challenge, and turmoil in its area of responsibility.”
In his 37-year career, General Austin has continually broken barriers for African Americans in the U.S. Army. He was also the first African American to serve in his previous position as the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army. His historic career includes leading the 3rd Infantry Division in the opening months of the Iraq war, where he earned a Silver Star for valor. General Austin later commanded divisions in both Afghanistan and Iraq, and commanded U.S. Forces-Iraq from September 2010 through the completion of the mission in December 2011.
“During his final deployment to Iraq, Gen. Austin led our military efforts at a particularly important time, overseeing the drawdown of U.S. forces and equipment while simultaneously helping to ensure that hard-fought security gains were preserved and that Iraqis could secure and govern themselves,” then-Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said in a statement last December.
“Lloyd would bring an important combination of strategic thinking, regional knowledge and proven judgment to one of the most critical posts in the department.”
General Austin introduced President Obama when he spoke to soldiers at Fort Bliss last August. In his remarks, President Obama acknowledged General Austin’s extraordinary leadership in Iraq, overseeing the withdrawal of 150,000 troops. General Austin succeeds Marine Corps General James Mattis.
Austin honed some of his management skills while taking classes at Webster University in Kansas City. He received his Master’s in Management from Webster in 1989.
“Lloyd Austin leads from where he is whether it is on the front line of a battlefield or a situation room in the Pentagon,” said Benjamin Akande, dean of the Walker School of Business at Webster University. “We are proud that this dedicated alum is able to share his expertise with so many and to make a difference in so many lives.”
Valerie Jarrett is a senior adviser to President Barack Obama and Assistant to the President for Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs.
