Martin Dempsey

Martin E. Dempsey is a general in the United States Army, who took command of the assumed the duties of Commander, United States Army Training and Doctrine Command.

Prior to TRADOC, he was acting commander of the United States Central Command. on December 8, 2008 after serving as Acting Commander U.S. Central Command. In August 2007, General Dempsey assumed the position of Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command, and served as Acting Commander, U.S. Central Command, from March 28, 2008 to Oct. 30, 2008.

In August 2005, he took command of the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq until summer 2007, when he moved to the position of Deputy Commander of U.S. Central Command. In 2003, he took command of 1st Armored Division (U.S.) in the Iraq War. He redeployed it to Germany in 2005.

After assignments as Assistant Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs (Europe and Africa) and Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from July 1998 through September 2001, he became Program Manager, Saudi Arabian National Guard Modernization Program, Saudi Arabia.

He returned to staff duty, and then completed senior education at the National War College, earning a Master’s Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. He then took command of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment.

After completing the Command and General Staff College, he went to the 3rd Armored Division (U.S.) in Germany, serving in a variety of positions, eventually commanding a tank battalion of the 1st Armored Division (U.S) in Operation DESERT STORM.

He earned a Master’s Degree in English from Duke University, and then became an instructor and assistant professor at West Point, from which he became a student at the Command and General Staff College, completing a Master’s Degree in Military Art and Science.

General Dempsey graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, and was commissioned as an Armor officer in June 1974. His first duty assignment was in the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, where he served as a Scout and Support Platoon Leader and Squadron Adjutant. He then served in a number of staff and command positions in Armor units, as well as taking professional training.