Raymond Thomas Odierno was an American military officer who served as a four-star general of the United States Army and as the 38th chief of staff of the Army. Prior to his service as chief of staff, Odierno commanded United States Joint Forces Command from October 2010 until its disestablishment in August 2011. He served as Commanding General, United States Forces – Iraq and its predecessor, Multi-National Force – Iraq, from September 2008 through September 2010.
Odierno in 2012 as Chief of Staff of the Army
Odierno is sworn in as Army chief of staff by Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, 7 September 2011.
Odierno (right) with son Anthony K. Odierno during the opening ceremony of the Veterans Day Parade in New York 2013
Chief of Staff of the United States Army
The chief of staff of the Army (CSA) is a statutory position in the United States Army held by a general officer. As the highest-ranking officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Army, the chief is the principal military advisor and a deputy to the secretary of the Army. In a separate capacity, the CSA is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and, thereby, a military advisor to the National Security Council, the secretary of defense, and the president of the United States. The CSA is typically the highest-ranking officer on active duty in the U.S. Army unless the chairman or the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are Army officers.
Chief of Staff of the United States Army
Image: Samuel Young
Image: Adna Chaffee
Image: Gen John Bates