From the Rotunda

Maj. Gen. John D. Posner (1995), deputy commander, Combined Air Operations Center 7, Component Command-Air Izmir, Allied Command Operations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Larissa, Greece, to director, global power programs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

The Department of Defense released the updated the Unified Command Plan (UCP), a key strategic document that establishes the missions, responsibilities, and geographic areas of responsibility for commanders of combatant commands. Unified Command Plan 2011, signed by the President on April 6, assigns several new missions to the combatant commanders.

http://www.defense.gov//releases/release.aspx?releaseid=14398

Brig. Gen. Jeffrey G. Lofgren (2002), currently the deputy director of operations, Headquarters U.S. Northern Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., will be assigned as commander, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, Air Combat Command, Southwest Asia.

The Department of Defense released today the updated the Unified Command Plan (UCP), a key strategic document that establishes the missions, responsibilities, and geographic areas of responsibility for commanders of combatant commands. Unified Command Plan 2011, signed by the President on April 6, assigns several new missions to the combatant commanders.

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates announced today that the President has made the following nominations:

Marine Corps Col. Thomas A. Gorry (2005) has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general. Gorry is currently serving as the director, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Quantico, Va.

Marine Corps Col. Paul J. Kennedy (2006) has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general. Kennedy is currently serving as the commanding officer, 2d Marine Regiment, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

On January 13, 2011, RADM Douglas J. McAneny, USN, assumed command as the 27th Commandant of the National War College during a short ceremony held in Arnold Auditorium at Roosevelt Hall. VADM Ann E. Rondeau, USN, President of the National Defense University, presided over the event attended by NWC faculty and friends of the college.

On Friday, January 7, 2011, Paul Begala and Kevin Madden conducted a panel discussion in Arnold Auditorium with the Class of 2011. At conclusion of the panel, they were both presented 2011 Class Coins. Later in the day, Begala and Madden were guests on CNN's John King, where the coins made a national appearance at 1:38 in the clip below:

Admiral James G. Stavridis, USN, reflects on his tenure as Commander of United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). The first Admiral to command Southern Command, Admiral Stavridis broke with tradition from day one, discarding the customary military staff model and creating an innovative organization designed not solely to subdue adversaries, but, perhaps more importantly, to build durable and lasting partnerships with friends. As he has said often, "We are excellent at launching Tomahawk missiles; in this part of the world, we need to get better at launching ideas."

http://www.ndu.edu/press/lib/images/jfq-60/JFQ60.pdf

Gates Recommends Dempsey as Next Army Chief of Staff

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 6, 2011 – Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has recommended to President Barack Obama that he nominate Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey (1996) to be the next Army chief of staff.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has recommended to President Barack Obama that he nominate Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey to be the next Army chief of staff. Dempsey is commander of the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Monroe, Va.