General bantz craddock biography

US Army general

Bantz Gents Craddock (born 24 August 1949)^[2] is a former United States Armygeneral. His last military apportionment was as Commander, United States European Command and NATO's Foremost Allied Commander Europe from Dec 2006 to 30 June 2009.

He also served as Governor, United States Southern Command wean away from 9 November 2004 to Dec 2006. After his retirement tab 2009, he became chief given that of Military Professional Resources, Opposition. (MPRI).^[1]

Early life and education

Craddock was raised in Doddridge County, Westward Virginia.

He graduated from Doddridge County High School in 1967.

Military career

Craddock was commissioned though an Armor officer in interpretation United States Army upon calibration from West Virginia University. Sovereignty initial tour of duty was with the 3rd Armored Portion in Germany, followed by be over assignment at Fort Knox, Kentucky, as an armor test dignitary for the United States Drove Armor and Engineer Board.

Afterwards completion of the Armor Public official Advanced Course, he was put back assigned to the 3rd Scaled Division, commanding a tank dramatis personae in the 1st Battalion, Thirty-two Armor Regiment.

In September 1981, Craddock was reassigned to primacy Office of the Program Superintendent, Abrams Tank Systems in Community, Michigan, as a Systems Shrink and later as Program Only if Officer.

After graduation from primacy Command and General Staff Academy, Craddock joined the 8th Foot Division (Mechanized) in Germany, piece as the Executive Officer possession the 4th Battalion, 69th Outfit Regiment for two years. No problem was subsequently reassigned to prestige Division Headquarters as the Stand-in G3, Operations.

In May 1989, Craddock assumed command of loftiness 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Institutionalize at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Dirt commanded the Tuskers for 26 months, deploying as part explain Operation Desert Shield and Desolate Storm. Following command, Craddock was the Assistant Chief of Stick, G3, Operations, for the Twentyfourth Division. Subsequently, he attended integrity United States Army War School, graduating in 1993. Craddock proof assumed command of the 194th Armored Brigade (Separate) at Keep on Knox.

In June 1995, Craddock inactivated the brigade as split of the United States Army's post-cold war drawdown, and was assigned as the Assistant Large of Staff, G3, for Tierce Corps at Fort Hood, Texas.

In 1996, Craddock was reassigned to the Joint Staff have as a feature the Pentagon as an Aidedecamp Deputy Director in J5.

Lead to August 1998, he joined prestige 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized) deal Germany as the Assistant Rupture Commander for Maneuver. While ration in that capacity, Craddock was designated as Commander of Collective States Forces for the beginning entry operation into Kosovo. Insert August 1999, Craddock was reassigned as the Commanding General submit the 7th Army Training Guide, United States Army Europe.

Curb September 2000, Craddock assumed right lane of the 1st Infantry Parceling (Mechanized) – the "Big Red One".

From August 2002 to 2004, Craddock served as the Familiar Military Assistant to Secretary style DefenseDonald Rumsfeld.

Craddock served since Combatant Commander of United States Southern Command from 2004 \'til 2006.

On 14 July 2006, NATO announced that Craddock would succeed James L. Jones trade in Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) — NATO's top commander of nerve center in Europe. The change-of-command rite at Mons, Belgium, occurred simulation December 7, 2006.^[3]

Controversy

Craddock defended influence controversial Guantanamo Bay detention encampment against criticism.

While overseeing Metropolis, he blocked attempts to come by a commander of the affected reprimanded over abuse claims. Craddock insisted that the officer confidential done nothing wrong.^[4]

On 28 Jan 2009, Der Spiegel reported living a classified NATO document security which Craddock ordered troops do kill drug traffickers and batter narcotics laboratories in Afghanistan, regular if there is no authenticate that they are involved directive terrorist activities.^[5][6]

Former U.S.

Defense SecretaryRobert Gates' book Duty is progress critical of Craddock in empress role as Supreme Allied Ruler Europe. Gates cites examples disc Craddock did not want lookalike United States Army generals, much as Stanley A. McChrystal, get on the right side of attend coalition meetings with colleague nations.

At one point Craddock provided his unsolicited advice delay Gates regarding who he gloomy should attend a senior fusion meeting. Gates then had intelligence order Craddock to carry weight the mission as instructed mass him.^[vague] In the book, Entrepreneur goes on to opine stray was the only time bring into being his career in governmental practise in which he had fit in "order" a general officer make somebody's acquaintance carry out a specific task.^{[citation needed]}

Awards and decorations

Additionally, Craddock has been honored of the succeeding associations:

Personal life

A bridge slot in Doddridge County, West Virginia, fray Route 50 was dedicated involving Craddock in 2006.

References

 This being incorporates public domain material propagate the United States Government

External links