Herbert Altshuler Herbert L . " Buzz " Altshuler is an American Major General who serves as Director of Strategy and Plans for USAFRICOM . Previously , he commanded United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command ( Airborne ) ( USACAPOC ) from 2001 to 2007 . Military career and background . Altshuler graduated from the United States Military Academy and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry in 1967 . During the Vietnam War , he served as a Rifle Platoon Leader in the 173rd Airborne Brigade , as well as a Battalion Operations Officer , and rifle Company Commander in the 1st Battalion , 22nd Infantry . Returning the United States , he served in various Command and staff positions , including aide - de - camp to the Commander , Fifth Infantry Division at Fort Carson , Colorado . After leaving active duty he served as Operations Officer , 14th Psychological Operations Battalion , and as Operations Officer , 7th Psychological Operations Group . Assigned to the 351st Civil Affairs Command , he served as Exercise Director , Secretary General Staff and Headquarters Commandant . In October 1985 , he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and assumed command of the 353rd Psychological Operations Battalion , until his departure to attend the Army War College . He returned to the 351st Civil Affairs Command as Chief of Operations and Plans Division , where he was promoted to Colonel in 1989 . In July 1991 he was assigned to the Primary Staff as Deputy Chief of Staff of Intelligence and Security , and on June 7 , 1992 Colonel Altshuler assumed command of the 7th Psychological Operations Group . In December 1995 he was mobilized and deployed to Bosnia in support of Operation Joint Endeavor where he served as Commander , Combined Joint Psychological Operations / IFOR Information Campaign Task Force , and Senior Psychological Operations Officer , IFOR staff in Bosnia and Herzegovina . Returning home in March 1996 , he relinquished command of the 7th Psychological Operations Group and assumed command of the 351st Civil Affairs Command . He returned to Bosnia with the 351st as Commander of the Combined Joint Civil Military Task Force and Deputy CJ9 , CIMIC , to Commander , SFOR . On June 27 , 1997 he was promoted to Brigadier General . Upon his return from Bosnia in January 1998 , he resumed command of the 351st Civil Affairs Command until March 2000 when he took command of the 89th Regional Support Command in Wichita , Kansas . On October 7 , 2000 , he was promoted to Major General . He departed the 89th RSC on April 22 , 2001 to assume command of the United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command ( Airborne ) , where he served until 2007 . He was then transferred to the newly created United States Africa Command ( USAFRICOM ) as Directory of Strategy , Plans and Programs . His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses , Basic Airborne , Ranger and Special Forces courses , the Civil Affairs Officers Advanced Course , Command and General Staff College , and the U . S . Army War College . His awards and decorations include two awards of the Defense Superior Service Medal , three awards of the Legion of Merit , the Bronze Star , the Purple Heart , three awards of the Meritorious Service Medal , the Army Commendation Medal with “ V ” Device and five Oak Leaf Clusters , The Combat Infantryman Badge , the Parachutist Badge , Ranger and Special Forces Tab s and numerous campaign and service medals . General Altshuler holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from the United States Military Academy and a Masters of Business Administration Degree from James Madison University .