Biography

Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACUER), 2 July 2009 - 13 May 2013. This is the second highest military position in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Retired U.S. Navy admiral.

Commander, U.S. Southern Command, 19 October 2006 - 25 June 2009.

[counselling students who are reluctant to accept positions in the current Trump workforce, 2017] Work hard to make a difference. Often, big doors swing on small hinges - never underestimate the ability of a good, smart, articulate, young staff officer to shift a policy debate...The cautionary [Icarus] tale for my student is apt: don't fly too close to the sun of this President because the wax holding your wings together may melt all too quickly

Let's leave the missiles in the silos where they belong and be quietly confident in the lethality, professionalism and integrity of our military - no parade necessary.

[at John McCain's passing, September 2018] I testified before him many times. Some of these appearances were a walk in the park. But when you were not in alignment with the Senator, it could be a rough time. Although he was the son and grandson of four-star admirals, when he was grilling you in testimony you would swear he was the progeny of drill sergeants. No one could lead a witness like McCain, and his knowledge of the issues was unparalleled...But what is most important to me about John McCain is how well he represented the seemingly forgotten center in American politics...I deeply honor his long voyage and all that he stood for.

[on the transitory experience of generals in the Trump presidency] In the military, we say the first duty of an officer is to bring order out of chaos. I'm glad that the generals stepped into the breach. But in the end, each of them had to ask himself 'At what point does my serving in this White House become less a guardrail and more an enabler? And what will it ultimately mean that the hard-won credibility of my life and career supported the work of this Administration'. That is an intensely personal choice that I suspect each will address over time. But I do believe that, for each of them, leaving had a modicum of relief mixed in with the bitter knowledge that try as they might, they could not accomplish the mission.