Joseph Votel

Joseph Leonard Votel (born February 14, 1958) is a four-star general in the United States Army who currently serves as the 10th commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command. Before 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. On January 16, 2016, Votel was nominated by President Obama to replace General Lloyd Austin as the next commander of U.S. Central Command.

Early career

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.