# David M. Rodriguez

David Mitchell "Rod" Rodriguez (born 23 May 1954) is an American Army four-star general who served as the Commander of the United States Africa Command from April 2013 till August 2016.
Rodriguez served as the Commanding General of the United States Army Forces Command from 12 September 2011 until 15 March 2014. He has also served as Commander, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command (IJC) and Deputy Commander, United States Forces – Afghanistan (USFOR-A) from 12 November 2009 to 11 July 2011. General Rodriguez retired in August 2016 after 40 years of service.

## Early life and education

Born in Overbrook, Pennsylvania on 23 May 1954 and raised in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Rodriguez earned his commission from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1976. He was recruited by Tom Cahill to play for the Army Black Knights football team and earned varsity letters in football and baseball.

## Military career

Rodriguez commanded at every level across the United States Army. His assignments included the Commanding General of the United States Army Forces Command, the International Security Assistance Force – Joint Command (IJC) in Afghanistan, the 82nd Airborne Division, the 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, and the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). He also commanded companies of the 75th Ranger Regiment, and 1st Armored Division.
Rodriguez's extensive combat experiences include: G-3 Planner, XVIII Airborne Corps, Operation Just Cause, 1989 – 1990; Operations Officer, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Desert Shield/Desert Storm, 1990 – 1991; Assistant Division Commander, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized), 2002 – 2003; Commander, Multi-National Division-Northwest, 2005; Special Assistant to the Commander, Multi-National Corps-Iraq, 2006; Commander, Combined Joint Task Force-82 in Afghanistan, 2007 – 2008; and Deputy Commander, United States Forces Afghanistan and Commander, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command.
Rodriguez holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College and a Masters of Military Art and Science from the United States Army Command and General Staff College.
On 11 November 2011, Rodriguez received the Abraham Lincoln Award during a Veterans Day celebration at the Union League of Philadelphia. Union Leagues were founded during the Civil War to support President Abraham Lincoln and the preservation of the Union; Philadelphia's, established in 1862, was the first. First presented to Major General Ulysses S. Grant, the award, which recognizes patriotism and service to country, has been bestowed on many distinguished civilian and military leaders, including former Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan; Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, General David H. Petraeus, and General Raymond T. Odierno.

### Dates of rank

| Second lieutenant | First lieutenant | Captain | Major | Lieutenant colonel |
| O-1 | O-2 | O-3 | O-4 | O-5 |
| 2 June 1976 | 2 June 1978 | 1 August 1980 | 1 September 1987 | 1 April 1993 |
| Colonel | Brigadier general | Major general | Lieutenant general | General |
| O-6 | O-7 | O-8 | O-9 | O-10 |
| 1 August 1997 | 1 March 2002 | 15 July 2005 | 29 July 2008 | 15 August 2011 |

## Awards and decorations

Rodriguez' military decorations include:
* Combat Infantryman Badge
* Expert Infantryman Badge
* Master Parachutist Badge
* Air Assault Badge
* Ranger Tab
* Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
* United States Africa Command Badge
* German Parachutist Badge in bronze
* 82nd Airborne Division CSIB
* 82nd Airborne Division DUI
* 10 Overseas Service Bars
* Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with two bronze oak leaf clusters)
* Army Distinguished Service Medal (with bronze oak leaf cluster)
* Defense Superior Service Medal
* Legion of Merit (with four bronze oak leaf clusters)
* Bronze Star Medal (with oak leaf cluster)
* Defense Meritorious Service Medal
* Meritorious Service Medal (with four oak leaf clusters)
* Joint Service Commendation Medal
* Army Commendation Medal (with two oak leaf clusters)
* Joint Service Achievement Medal
* Joint Meritorious Unit Award
* Meritorious Unit Commendation (with oak leaf cluster)
* National Defense Service Medal (with one bronze service star)
* Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
* Southwest Asia Service Medal (with service star)
* Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with three service stars)
* Iraq Campaign Medal (with two service stars)
* Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
* Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
* Korea Defense Service Medal
* Army Service Ribbon
* Army Overseas Service Ribbon (with bronze award numeral "5")
* NATO Medal for Former Yugoslavia
* National Defence Medal in gold with bronze palm (France)
* Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)
* Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)