David Gerard Perkins (born November 12, 1957) is a retired United States Army four-star general. His last assignment before retiring was commanding general of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command.
David G. Perkins | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Born | November 12, 1957 Goffstown, New Hampshire |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1980–2018 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands | United States Army Training and Doctrine Command United States Army Combined Arms Center 4th Infantry Division Joint Multinational Training Command, Germany 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment |
| Battles / wars | Iraq War |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal (3) Silver Star Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal (2) |
Early life
editPerkins was born in Goffstown, New Hampshire, on November 12, 1957, and was raised in Keene, New Hampshire; Rochester, New York; and Fairport, New York.[1][2] Perkins earned his Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout award in 1974, and graduated from Fairport High School in 1976.[3][4]
Military career
editPerkins graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1980 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Armor.[5] In 1988, he received a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan.[6] He completed both Ranger and Airborne Schools. He then served in armor assignments from platoon leader to battalion and brigade staff positions.
Perkins commanded the 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment from 1996 to 1998. The battalion served in Macedonia, and took part in a United Nations mission to monitor Macedonia's borders with Albania, Kosovo, and Serbia. In 1999, Perkins received a master's degree from the Naval War College.
In 2003, Perkins commanded the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division during the invasion of Iraq. His unit was the first across the border, and first to enter the downtown government areas of Baghdad. Perkins is featured prominently in the book Thunder Run: The Armored Strike to Capture Baghdad, and received the Silver Star for his part in the invasion.
In 2004 and 2005, Perkins was executive assistant to the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. From 2005 to 2007, he commanded the Joint Multinational Training Command in Germany. From 2007 to 2008, Perkins was the G-3 (Plans, Operations and Training staff officer) for United States Army Europe and Seventh United States Army.
In 2008, Perkins became the director for strategic effects (CJ-9) for Multi-National Force-Iraq. In this capacity, he coordinated and implemented political, economic, and communications activities on behalf of MNF-I, and served as the organization's spokesman.[7] From 2009 to 2011, he commanded the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson. From 2011 to 2014, Perkins was commander of the Combined Arms Center and commandant of the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.[8][9]
On March 14, 2014, Perkins assumed command of United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) from Robert W. Cone.[10] On March 2, 2018, Perkins was succeeded at TRADOC by Stephen J. Townsend and he retired one week later.[11]
Awards and decorations
edit
  Army Distinguished Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
|
 Silver Star
|
 Defense Superior Service Medal
|
 |
 |
 |
 Army Commendation Medal
|
 Army Achievement Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
|
 Army Presidential Unit Citation
|
 Joint Meritorious Unit Award
|
 Superior Unit Award
|
  |
 Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
|
 Kosovo Campaign Medal
|
 Iraq Campaign Medal
|
 Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
|
 Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
|
 Armed Forces Service Medal
|
 Army Service Ribbon
|
  Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 4
|
 United Nations Medal
|
 NATO Medal for Kosovo
|
Family
editPerkins and his wife Ginger[12][13][14] are the parents of two children, Cassandra and Chad, both of whom are captains in the United States Army as of March 2018.[15][16]
References
edit- ^ Pierce, Meghan (March 7, 2018). "Four-Star Gen. Perkins Gary to retire at home in NH after 42 years; by 2020 shaped U.S. battle doctrine". manchester Union Leader. Manchester, NH. Archived from the original on March 10, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
- ^ West Point Association of Graduates, Register of Graduates and Former Cadets of the United States Military Academy, 1991, page 778
- ^ Fairport Herald-Mail, Severn Fairport Scouts Attain Eagle Designation, January 29, 1986
- ^ Fairport Herald-Mail, Parents Visit West Point Archived 2014-05-02 at the Wayback Machine, April 20, 1977
- ^ Melissa Bower, Ft. Leavenworth Lamp, CAC Welcomes New Commander, CSM, November 23, 2011
- ^ Sgt. Philip Klein, Fort Carson Mountaineer, Hood Bids 4th Inf. Div. Farewell, July 24, 1009, page 1
- ^ "4th Infantry Division". Carson.army.mil. Archived from the original on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
- ^ "General assumes command of Fort Leavenworth". kansascity.
- ^ "U.S. and the World – Commander of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center: Who Is Lt. Gen. David Perkins? – AllGov – News". AllGov.
- ^ "Perkins gets nod for TRADOC command; Cone to retire". Army Times. Archived from the original on 2015-03-24. Retrieved 2015-04-07.
- ^ "Townsend takes command of TRADOC". Tradoc News Center.
- ^ Coats, Julius (July 23, 2015). "Hampton Roads Host Honorary ROCK of the Year Luncheon". The Rocket. Forestville, MD: The ROCKS, Incorporated: 7.
Accompanying General Perkins was his wife Ginger.
- ^ "Happy Holidays & New Year from TRADOC!". TRADOC News Center. Ft. Eustis, VA: United States Army Training and Doctrine Command. December 16, 2015. Archived from the original on April 2, 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command's leaders and their spouses, Gen. David Perkins, Ginger Perkins, Command Sgt. Maj. David Davenport and Claudia Davenport, wish you and your family the happiest of holidays and a very happy New Year!
- ^ Crumes, Shama (August 10, 2017). "TRADOC Hosts Commanders' Conference". TRADOC News Center. Ft. Eustis, VA. Archived from the original on January 23, 2018. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
One session, the senior spouse panel, was led by the TRADOC commander's wife, Ginger Perkins.
- ^ "Commander of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center: Who Is Lt. Gen. David Perkins?". AllGov.com. Washington, DC. August 4, 2012.
- ^ Pointer, Kathleen (November 22, 2011). "General assumes command of Fort Leavenworth". Kansas City Star.
