Army General Tapped to Lead SOCOM

March 1, 2016 | By Brian W. Everstine

President Obama has nominated Army Lt. Gen. Raymond Thomas to lead US Special Operations Command, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced Feb. 29. If confirmed by the Senate, he would replace Gen. Joseph Votel, who will take command of US Central Command from retiring Gen. Lloyd Austin. Thomas currently serves as commander of Joint Special Operations Command and would receive his fourth star if confirmed. He is a career special operator, having served as an operations officer and squadron commander in the Army’s Delta Force, and also as the associate director of the Central Intelligence Agency for military affairs.

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