Commandant of the Army War College

The commandant of the Army War College is the senior United States Army officer commanding the United States Army War College. As a direct reporting unit of the United States Army, the commandant is responsible to the Secretary of the Army and Chief of Staff of the United States Army for the successful running of the Army War College. Since 1986, the commandant's official residence is Quarters 1 in Carlisle Barracks.[1][2]

Seal of the Army War College
The "Light of Learning" statue at the Army War College

The position dates from 27 November 1901, when General Order 155 established a War College Board to advise the President of the United States and the direct the "intellectual exercise" of the Army. Major General Samuel B.M. Young was appointed president of the Board, thus making him the first President of the Army War College, despite the college only beginning operations under his successor, Brigadier General Tasker H. Bliss.[3] The position was retitled as Commandant of the Army War College with the appointment of Major General James W. McAndrew to the presidency in 1919.[4] Five commandants later became superintendent of the United States Military Academy.

The commandantship was vacant for two separate periods, both during wartime when classes were suspended: from August 1918 to June 1919 (during World War I) and from July 1940 to January 1950 (during World War II and the early postwar era).[4]

The commandant, since 1986, has consistently held the rank of major general.

Commandants

List of commandants in chronological order[4]

#[lower-alpha 1] Rank[lower-alpha 2] Name Photo Term began Term ended Term length Notes[lower-alpha 3]
1 Major General Samuel B. M. Young 1 July 1902 15 August 1903 1 year, 45 days Oversaw the initial establishment of the Army War College. Later served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1903 to 1904 under the General Staff Act of 1903, which also enshrined the office of president of the Army War College into statutory law.
2 Brigadier General Tasker H. Bliss 15 August 1903 15 April 1905 1 year, 243 days Later served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1917 to 1918.
38 Major General Thomas F. Healy 26 October 1983 19 June 1985 1 year, 236 days
39 Major General James E. Thompson Jr. 20 June 1985 30 September 1987 2 years, 102 days
40 Major General Howard D. Graves 1 October 1987 7 July 1989 1 year, 279 days Later served as Superintendent of the United States Military Academy from 1991 to 1996.
41 Major General Paul G. Cerjan 10 July 1989 18 August 1991 2 years, 39 days
42 Major General William A. Stofft 19 August 1991 25 July 1994 2 years, 340 days
43 Major General Richard A. Chilcoat 29 July 1994 25 July 1997 2 years, 361 days
44 Major General Robert H. Scales Jr. 3 August 1997 28 July 2000 2 years, 360 days
45 Major General Robert R. Ivany 31 July 2000 28 July 2003 2 years, 362 days
46 Major General David H. Huntoon Jr. 15 August 2003 21 January 2008 4 years, 159 days Later served as Superintendent of the United States Military Academy from 2010 to 2013.
47 Major General Robert M. Williams 22 January 2008 20 June 2010 2 years, 149 days
48 Major General Gregg F. Martin 21 June 2010 14 June 2012 1 year, 359 days Later served as President of the National Defense University from 2012 to 2014.
49 Major General Anthony A. Cucolo III 15 June 2012 13 June 2014 1 year, 363 days
50 Major General William E. Rapp 13 June 2014 28 July 2017 3 years, 45 days
51 Major General John S. Kem 28 July 2017 30 July 2020 3 years, 2 days
52 Major General Stephen J. Maranian 30 July 2020 31 August 2021 1 year, 32 days Directed revisions and innovations in curriculum and teaching methodologies; and hired faculty experienced with emerging issues such as futures, data analysis, and environmental security. Also, under his tenure, the "Strategic Studies Institute and Center for Strategic Leadership refocused their ideas and expertise in analysis and experimentation to align with pressing strategic issues".[5] Maranian was suspended as commandant in February 2021 amid an allegation of sexual misconduct, but was reinstated in July after being cleared of all charges.[6][7]
53 Major General David C. Hill 31 August 2021 Incumbent 229 days Served as acting Commandant from 9 February 2021 to 21 July 2021, during Maranian's suspension.

See also

Notes
  1. Repeat terms are to be bracketed with the same number. This is not an official numbering.
  2. Highest rank held by the officeholder while serving as Commandant.
  3. Achievements of the officeholder while serving as Commandant; notable military or political positions held post-commandantship, in particular leadership of other military institutions such as the U.S. Military Academy or U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

References
  1. Baltos, Corey (27 February 2012). "Commandant opens home to Carlisle Barracks families" (PDF). U.S. Army War College. USAWC Public Affairs. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  2. "Historic Carlisle Barracks - History of the Army War College". U.S. Army War College. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  3. Newland, Samuel (17 August 2001). "A Centennial History of the US Army War College". USAWC Press. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  4. "Past Commandants as of 30/7/2020 - Army War College". usawc.libanswers.com. 30 July 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  5. "New assignments announced for MG Stephen J. Maranian, MG David C. Hill". www.army.mil. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  6. Dickstein, Corey (18 February 2021). "Suspended Army War College commandant faces sexual assault investigation". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  7. Mitchell, Ellen (21 July 2021). "Army reinstates War College commandant after abusive sexual contact allegations". The Hill. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
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