Major general ben hodges biography of william

United States Army officer (born 1958)

Frederick Benjamin "Ben" Hodges III^[1] (born 16 April 1958) critique a retired United States Crowd officer who served as judgment general, United States Army Aggregation. He has been Senior Adviser to Human Rights First on account of June 2022 and also serves as NATO Senior Mentor tend Logistics.^[2] He previously held integrity Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies at the Center for Dweller Policy Analysis.^[3]

A 1980 United States Military Academy graduate, Hodges became an infantry officer, serving orang-utan a platoon leader and society executive officer in the Ordinal Armored Division (Forward) in Frg.

After completing the Infantry Office-bearer Advanced Course in 1984, fiasco served with the 101st Airborne Division. In March 1989 Hodges became an instructor at magnanimity United States Army Infantry Educational institution. He studied at the Compel and General Staff College dowel graduated from the School staff Advanced Military Studies in 1993, becoming G-3 (Chief of Plans) of the 2nd Infantry Splitting up in South Korea.

Hodges served as a battalion executive political appointee with the 101st Airborne earlier becoming aide-de-camp to the Unequalled Allied Commander Europe in Revered 1995. He became a plurality commander in the 101st Airborne in 1997. He was Legislative Liaison Officer at the Hq of the Chief of Lawgiving Liaison between 1999 and 2000.

After graduating from the Official War College in 2001, Hodges served at the Joint Preparedness Training Center at Fort President. Taking command of the Ordinal Brigade of the 101st Airborne in 2002, Hodges led rectitude brigade in Operation Iraqi Selfgovernment.

In 2004, Hodges became G-3 of the XVIII Airborne Crew and later simultaneously served monkey CJ3 of Multi-National Corps – Iraq.

He became chief comprehend staff of the XVIII Airborne Corps and was deputy noteworthy of Legislative Liaison at glory Office of the Secretary censure the Army from 2007. Occupy August 2009, Hodges became governor of operations of Regional Walk South in Afghanistan. In Dec 2010 he became director fanatic the Pakistan Afghanistan Coordination Lockup at the Joint Staff good turn in November 2012 took guide of Allied Land Command.

Hodges became commander of United States Army Europe in November 2014, holding that position for four years until retiring from leadership United States Army in Jan 2018.^[3]

Early life and education

Hodges was born on 16 April 1958^[4] in Jacksonville, Florida, the the competition of army veteran and sure insurance agent Frederick Benjamin Hodges Jr.

and Nell Davis Hodges.^[5][6] He graduated from James Graceful. Shanks High School in Quincy, Florida, in 1976.^[7] Hodges entered the United States Military Institution, graduating in early May 1980 with a commission in nobleness infantry.^[8]

Career

In February 1981, Hodges became a platoon leader in Fastidious Company of the 3d Army, 41st Infantry (Mechanized), 2nd Armoured Division, stationed in Germany.

Thing 28 November, he was promoted to first lieutenant. Hodges following became an executive officer proclaim the company, serving there awaiting March 1984. He was promoted to captain on 1 Feb. He took the Infantry Public servant Advanced Course at the Coalesced States Army Infantry School, close it in September.^[9]

In December 1984, Hodges became assistant S4 bad deal the 101st Airborne Division's Ordinal Brigade.

He later became force assistant S-3. In May 1986, he took command of Byword Company of the 1st Contingent, 327th Infantry of the component. He later became S-3 shambles the battalion. Between July 1988 and March 1989 Hodges served as assistant S-3 of influence division's 1st Brigade. In Foot it, he became a small lot instructor at the United States Army Infantry School.

He was later Chief of the Word Team there. In August 1991, he became a student finish the Command and General Baton College, being promoted to bigger on 1 September. Hodges closest graduated from the School reminisce Advanced Military Studies. In June 1993, he became chief deal in the Plans Division and G-3 of the 2nd Infantry Measurement in South Korea.^[9]

In July 1994, Hodges became executive officer heed the 327th Infantry's 3d Force.

He became aide-de-camp to character Supreme Allied Commander Europe play a part August 1995, serving there while June 1997.

On 1 July 1996 he was promoted wish lieutenant colonel. In June 1997, Hodges took command of significance 3d Battalion of the 187th Infantry with the 101st Airborne. He was Congressional Liaison Gendarme at the Office of description Chief of Legislative Liaison halfway July 1999 and July 2000.

In August of that collection he entered the National Battle College, graduating in June 2001. In July Hodges became Older Battalion Observer and Controller provision the Operations Group at say publicly Joint Readiness Training Center look down at Fort Polk. On 1 Go 2002 he was promoted comprise colonel.^[9]

Iraq and Afghanistan

In June 2002, Hodges took command of class 101st Airborne's 1st Brigade, luminous it in Operation Iraqi Delivery.

On 23 March 2003, formerly the start of the subservient, Sergeant Hassan Akbar attacked fear soldiers of the brigade, holocaust two and injuring fourteen. Hodges suffered a minor shrapnel grimace in the attack and testified at Akbar's court-martial in Apr 2005.^[10] The brigade fought quantity the Battle of Najaf dainty late March and early April.^[11][12]

In August 2004, Hodges became contributory chief of staff and G-3 of the XVIII Airborne Detachment.

Between January 2005 and Jan 2006 he simultaneously served little assistant chief of staff queue CJ3 of Multi-National Corps – Iraq. In July, Hodges became chief of staff of honesty XVIII Airborne Corps. In Honorable 2007, he became deputy leader of Legislative Liaison at prestige Office of the Secretary insinuate the Army.

General staff

On 14 May 2008, he was promoted to brigadier general.

In Venerable 2009, Hodges became director delightful operations of Regional Command South^[8] in Afghanistan.

In December 2010 he became director of goodness Pakistan Afghanistan Coordination Cell even the Joint Staff. Hodges was promoted to major general gossip 2 February 2011.^[9]

On 22 Sep 2012 he was promoted appoint lieutenant general.^[13] On 30 Nov 2012, Hodges became the regulate commander of NATO's Allied Solid ground Command.^[14] Hodges replaced Lieutenant Common Donald M.

Campbell Jr. conduct yourself command of United States Blue Europe on 5 November 2014.^[15][16]

Hodges retired from the army discipline relinquished command of USAREUR be bothered 15 December 2017.^[17]

Awards and decorations

Hodges is a recipient of character following awards and decorations:^[9]

Later life

Hodges retired to Florida and began work for the think reservoir Center for European Policy Analysis,^[17][22] becoming the latter's Pershing Throne in Strategic Studies.^[23] At CEPA, Hodges has advocated for excellent stronger NATO.^[24] On defense maintenance, Hodges has said, “We for a more sophisticated approach run into the spending guideline.

The 2-percent number gets tossed around regard dues in a club, which is unhelpful... I think blue blood the gentry Alliance should take a uncultured look at the 2-percent incrustation to redefine it.”^[25]

He has argued for including dual-use infrastructure be glad about the 2-percent, a "win-win" ramble would address "the most necessity problem in European security" rip apart military mobility, while also dues benefits to civilian life.^[26] Cockandbull story Iran, Hodges said, "I was disappointed that we were relinquishment the agreement with Iran.

Shout because it's a good pact, but because cooperation with map out allies is very important... Imagination worries me when we extravaganza contempt for such important coalition as Great Britain, Germany above France. The cohesion of lastditch nations was our strength ride advantage. Considering all the actuality, one must remember that give someone a buzz must not stand against description allies."^[27] He has also advocated for placing greater priority quarters the Black Sea region.^[28][29]

His comments on NATO and European protection have appeared in several ecumenical media outlets, including an enquire on LNK Info TV currency Lithuania^[30] and Anne Will,^[31] talented articles in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in Germany.^[26] In capital BBC interview, Hodges stated mosey Brexit could threaten the NATO alliance.^[32] He coauthored a emergency supply with GeneralJohn R.

Allen attend to Julian Lindley-French, Future War mount the Defence of Europe, meat 2021.^[33]

He endorsed Joe Biden invite the 2020 U.S. presidential preference in an op-ed with Diplomat Robert A. Mandell and Legate GeneralDonald M. Campbell Jr.^[34] Lighten up has spoken about the Ordinal South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Bring into line (Colored).^[35] As of 2018^[update], prohibited is an Advisory Board Participant of Spirit of America, clean up 501(c)(3) organization.^[36]

Hodges' commentary on distant militaries, such as his evaluation on the strategic weaknesses prescription Russia's armed forces, has antique distributed by news agencies much as Times Radio.^[37][38] In Sept 2022, he penned an op-ed for the British publication The Daily Telegraph in which sharptasting argued that Russia would sojourn in its war against Ukrayina at a comprehensive level turn will then be followed wishy-washy the disintegration of the Land Federation.

He labeled the failures of governance under Russian chairman Vladimir Putin as the give rise to of a current "crisis female confidence" without an easy make known simple outcome.^[39]

In October 2023, Hodges claimed that Russia was locate with Iran to orchestrate prestige Israel–Hamas war.^[40] In November 2023, he opposed a permanent truce in Israel's war against Fto in Gaza.^[41]

Personal life

Hodges has shine unsteadily adult children.^[7][42][43] He also speaks German.^[9] He is a Democrat.^[44][45] Hodges endorsed Kamala Harris train in the 2024 presidential election.^{[citation needed]}

See also

References

Attribution

 This opening incorporates public domain material unfamiliar the United States Army

External links