David M. Rodriguez

David M. Rodriguez is a United States Army General who currently serves as the Commander, United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). 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. 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
A native of West Chester, Pennsylvania, Rodriguez earned his commission from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1976.

Career
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.

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.

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.

Awards and decorations
Rodriguez' military decorations include:
 * Combat Infantry Badge.svg Combat Infantryman Badge
 * ExpIBadge.gif Expert Infantryman Badge
 * US Army Airborne master parachutist badge.gif Master Parachutist Badge
 * AirAssault.svg Air Assault Badge
 * RangerTab TIoH.gif Ranger Tab
 * Joint Chiefs of Staff seal.svg Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
 * Africom emblem 2.svg United States Africa Command Badge
 * Springerabzeichen de.jpg German Parachutist Badge
 * 82AirborneDivCSIB.jpg 82nd Airborne Division CSIB
 * 82AirborneDivCSIB.jpg 82nd Airborne Division DUI
 * ArmyOSB.jpg 10 Overseas Service Bars.

On 11 November 2011, General Rodriguez received the prestigious Abraham Lincoln Award during a Veterans Day celebration at The Union League of Philadelphia. Union Leagues were founded during the Civil War to support President Abraham Lincoln and the preservation of the Union; Philadelphia's, established in 1862, was the first. First presented to Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, the award, which recognizes patriotism and service to country, has been bestowed on many distinguished civilian and military leaders, including former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan; U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Gen. David H. Petraeus and current Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, Gen. Raymond T. Odierno.

Dates of rank
United States Military Academy class of 1976