NATO Allies Approve General Scaparrotti as Next Supreme Allied Commander
Current USFK Commander General Scaparrotti is very close to doing something that few USFK commanders have done before, be forced into retirement:
When U.S. Army Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti takes up the job of NATO Supreme Allied Commander in the months ahead, he won’t be facing the tranquil European security scene that greeted his most recent predecessors, who walked into the job trying to make a friend of Russia.
If confirmed, Scaparrotti will take his seat at the old desk of Dwight D. Eisenhower with a European mission transformed: Cold War-style tensions with Russia, a refugee crisis threatening Europe’s political order and a NATO alliance still trying to adapt.
On Friday, the White House nominated Scaparrotti as the next chief of European Command and SACEUR.
“His experience as a commander at every echelon while facing incredibly demanding security challenges in our country’s hottest spots give him the experience and skills needed for Europe and our nation at this time,” current EUCOM chief Gen. Philip Breedlove said in a statement. “’Scap’ is a superb match for the security situation in Europe as it is rapidly evolving and becoming more complex.” [Stars & Stripes]
You can read the rest at the link, but General Scaparrotti next just needs the Senate to approve the nomination which I would be very surprised if anyone tries to block it.
Of note is that ROKHead extraordinaire, @JoeC, did the research and determined that the last USFK commander to receive a follow-on assignment was John Wickham, who went on to become Army Chief of Staff from 83-87. His predecessor, John Vessey was given Army Vice Chief of Staff from 79-82, then became Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 82-85. The only USFK commander given a follow-on job as regional commander was Dwight Beach as commander US Army Pacific from 66-88. Scaparrotti will be the second to get a follow-on regional command. To complete the list, the first USFK commander. George Decker left USFK to become Army Vice Chief of Staff from 59-60 and Army Chief of Staff from 60-62.
Another ironic twist. The previous USFK regional command follow-on had Dwight Beach leaving USFK on to command US Army Pacific. Scaparrotti’s successor will be leaving command of US Army Pacific to become USFK commander.
I guess that implies that these command moves are not really considered promotions but are, at least, equal status assignments.
JoeC, I would say going from USARPAC commander to USFK commander even though they are both 4-star commands is a promotion because of how high profile the USFK commander job is. Going from USFK to NATO commander I think is just about equivalent in terms of profile and importance. General Scaparrotti must have really impressed to get both jobs.