General David M. Rodriguez,

David M. Rodriguez (born May 23, 1954) is a United States Army General who currently serves as the Commander, United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and also with the United Nations Peace Keeping Force in Syria. 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.[1] 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

Early life and education

Rodriguez was born in Overbrook, Pennsylvania in 1954[3] and raised in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Rodriguez earned his commission from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1976

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.