General Joseph L. Votel, Commander of United States Central Command

MACDILL AFB, Fla. (March 30, 2016) — Defense Secretary Ash Carter receives the U.S. Central Command guidon as U.S. Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III relinquishes command to U.S. Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel. Carter officiated the change of command ceremony, which attracted more than 1,000 attendees, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Marine Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Central Command's component commanders, community leaders and senior coalition representatives. (U.S. Central Command photo by Marine Cpl. Jordan Belser)

U.S. Army Gen. Joseph Votel, nominee to be the next commander of the U.S. Central Command, testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee March 9, 2016 in Washington, DC. The committee heard testimony from the two military leaders on their nominations. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)(Photo: Win McNamee, Getty Images)

Joseph L. Votel
General Joseph L. Votel, Commander of United States Central Command
Born	February 14, 1958 (age 58) Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States[1]
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1980–present
Rank	General
Commands held	United States Central Command U.S. Special Operations Command Joint Special Operations Command Combined Joint Task Force 82 Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 10th Mountain Division
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal