Joseph Votel

Joseph Votel
Official portrait, 2016
Born	(1958-02-14) 14 February 1958 (age 66) Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Army
Years of service	1980–2019
Rank	General
Commands	United States Central Command United States Special Operations Command Joint Special Operations Command Combined Joint Task Force 82 Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization 75th Ranger Regiment 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry, 10th Mountain Division
Battles / wars	War in Afghanistan Iraq War
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3) Army Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal (3) Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star (4)
Alma mater	United States Military Academy (BS) United States Army Command and General Staff College (MS) United States Army War College (MS)

Joseph Leonard Votel (born 14 February 1958) is a retired four-star general in the United States Army who was commander of United States Central Command from March 2016 to March 2019.^[1] Before that, he served as commander of the United States Special Operations Command.

General Votel most recently served as President and CEO of Business Executives for National Security (BENS) – a national, nonprofit composed of senior business and industry executives who volunteer their time and expertise to assist the U.S. national security community.