Michael D . Maples Lieutenant General Michael David Maples , USA ( born 1949 ) served as the 16th Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency ( DIA ) , appointed on November 4 , 2005 . He received his third star on November 29 . Maples also commanded the Joint Functional Component Command for Intelligence , Surveillance and Reconnaissance ( JFCC - ISR ) for the United States Strategic Command ( USSTRATCOM ) . He transferred his Directorship of the Defense Intelligence Agency and his Command of JFCC - ISR to LTG Ronald Burgess on March 18 , 2009 . Maples formally served as the Vice Director of Management of the Joint Staff . Early life . Maples , a native of Bonham , Texas , was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Field Artillery following graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1971 . He holds a Master ’ s degree in Organizational Behavior from Pacific Lutheran University . His military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course , the United States Army Command and General Staff College , and the National War College . Military career . Maples became the Commanding General of the United States Army Field Artillery Center at Fort Sill on August 23 , 2001 . Prior to assuming his present duties , Maples served at Headquarters , Department of the Army as the Director of Operations , Readiness and Mobilization , and the Director of Military Support in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans . He was previously assigned as the Assistant Division Commander ( Support ) , 1st Armored Division , and Senior Tactical Commander of the Baumholder Military Community . As the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations , Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps ( ARRC ) , and for the Kosovo Force ( KFOR ) , LTG General Maples planned and executed the entry of NATO forces into Kosovo . Previous assignments include serving as the Assistant Chief of Staff , G3 , V Corps , Heidelberg , Germany and Deputy Chief of Staff Operations for United States Army Europe ( FWD ) , Taszar , Hungary , supporting United States forces in the Balkans in Operation Joint Endeavor . Maples commanded the 41st Field Artillery Brigade , Babenhausen , Germany ; the 6th Battalion , 27th Field Artillery ( MLRS ) at Fort Sill , Oklahoma and Desert Shield / Desert Storm ; and B Battery , 6th Battalion , 37th Field Artillery ( 155 T ) , 2d Infantry Division , Republic of Korea . During Desert Storm , his battalion was the only ATACMS capable unit in theater and provided support to both VII and XVIII Corps , as well as the 6th French , 101st Airborne , 24th Infantry , 1st Armored and 1st Infantry Divisions . Other assignments . Other assignments include Deputy Commander of V Corps Artillery ; Senior Military Aide to the Secretary of the Army ; successive assignments in the 1st Armored Division Artillery in Zirndorf , Germany , as the Division Artillery Assistant S3 ; S3 and Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion , 94th Field Artillery ( 8 ” / MLRS ) , Division Assistant Fire Support Coordinator and Division Artillery Executive Officer ; Tactical Officer , Company D - 4 , United States Corps of Cadets , United States Military Academy ; Aide - de - Camp to the Commanding General United States Army Readiness Region VII ; Training Management Officer , United States Army Readiness Group , Fort Sam Houston , Texas ; and Fire Direction Officer and Executive Officer in C Battery , 2d Battalion , 34th Field Artillery ( 155 SP ) , at Fort Lewis , Washington and Fort Knox , Kentucky . Decorations . LTG Maples ’ decorations include the Defense Superior Service Award with Oak Leaf Cluster , the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters , the Bronze Star , the Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters , the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster , and the Army Achievement Medal . Foreign decorations include the French Croix de guerre with Silver Star . While CDR , 41st FA BDE in Baubenhausen , Germany , then COL Maples was awarded the Georgia Commendation Medal [ Georgia National Guard - USA ] by LTC Frank Williams - 3ID RTOC , in July 1996 . Testimony on interrogation methods . Lt . Gen . Maples has testified in Congressional hearings with regard to controversies about enhanced interrogation methods such as waterboarding . On February 27 , 2008 , he testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee that waterboarding is not consistent with Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions and that it is inhumane .