Curtis Scaparrotti

Last updated
Mike Scaparrotti
Scaparrotti EUCOM.jpg
Scaparrotti in uniform, active General
Nickname(s)"Scap" [1]
Born (1956-03-05) March 5, 1956 (age 68)
Logan, Ohio, U.S.
AllegianceFlag of the United States.svg  United States
Service/branchFlag of the United States Army.svg  United States Army
Years of service1978–2019
Rank General
Commands held Supreme Allied Commander Europe
United States European Command
United Nations Command
ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command
United States Forces Korea
I Corps
International Security Assistance Force Joint Command
82nd Airborne Division
Battles/wars Operation Joint Endeavor
Operation Support Hope
Iraq War
War in Afghanistan
Awards Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3)
Army Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Defense Superior Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit (5)
Bronze Star (3)
Alma mater United States Military Academy (BS)
University of South Carolina (MEd)
Curtis Scaparrotti's voice
Scaparrotti's opening statement at a House Armed Services Committee hearing on the Asia-Pacific region
Recorded February 24, 2016

Curtis Michael "Mike" Scaparrotti (born March 5, 1956) is a retired United States Army four-star general who last served as the commander of United States European Command. He concurrently served as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe. [2] [3] Scaparrotti previously served as the director of the Joint Staff. Prior to his tour with the Joint Staff, Scaparrotti served as commander, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command and deputy commander, U.S. Forces – Afghanistan, the commanding general of I Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and the commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division. [4]

Contents

In addition, Scaparrotti served in key leadership positions at the tactical, operational, and strategic level of the United States military, including as director of operations, United States Central Command and as the 69th commandant of cadets at the United States Military Academy. He commanded forces during Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Support Hope (Zaire/Rwanda), Joint Endeavour (Bosnia-Herzegovina), and Assured Response (Liberia). [5]

In 1978 Scaparrotti graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Command and General Staff College, and the United States Army War College. He holds a master's degree in Administrative Education from the University of South Carolina. [6]

Career

Scaparrotti's initial duty assignments were as a rifle and anti-tank platoon leader, operations officer and company commander in 3rd Battalion, 325th Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 1984, Scaparrotti completed the infantry officer advanced course at Fort Benning, Georgia, followed by studies in Administrative Education at the University of South Carolina, where he earned his Master of Education degree.

Scaparrotti returned to West Point in 1985 where he was assigned as a tactical officer and the superintendent's aide-de-camp until 1988. After his assignment there, he continued his military studies at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

By July 1989, Scaparrotti went on to serve with the 10th Mountain Division in Fort Drum, New York, where he was the operations officer for 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment and then moved to division headquarters as the chief of the operations branch.

From 1992 to 1994, Scaparrotti was stationed in Washington, D.C., at the Army Total Personnel Command and the Army Chief of Staff's office.

In May 1994, Scaparrotti took command of 3rd Battalion, 325th Airborne Combat Team, Southern European Task Force in Vicenza, Italy, and in that time he commanded the battalion during Operations Support Hope in Zaire/Rwanda, Joint Endeavor in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Assured Response (1996) in Liberia.

Scaparrotti returned to Fort Drum in 1996 as the 10th Mountain Division's operations officer and from there he continued his studies at the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks. He served as the chief of Army Initiatives Group in the Deputy Chief of Staff's Office for Plans and Operations in Washington, D. C. in 1998.

By 1999, Scaparrotti returned to Fort Bragg to command the 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division before he moved on to serve as the assistant deputy director for Joint Operations on the Joint Staff, Washington, D. C., from 2001 to 2003.

Scaparrotti with Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, Philip M. Breedlove and Joseph Dunford, 3 May 2016 Change of Command EUCOM 2016.JPG
Scaparrotti with Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, Philip M. Breedlove and Joseph Dunford, 3 May 2016

From July 2003 to July 2004, Scaparrotti served as the assistant division commander (Maneuver) for the 1st Armored Division during the Iraq War. From August 2004 to July 2006, Scaparrotti served as the 69th commandant of cadets, United States Military Academy, at West Point, New York. [7] Thereafter, he was assigned as the director of operations (J3) for United States Central Command (CENTCOM), providing oversight to all military operations throughout the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility, including Iraq and Afghanistan, and also including operations in Somalia, at a critical phase in those missions.

Scaparrotti and Israel's military chief Gadi Eizenkot, 16 August 2016 EUCOM Commander Scaparrotti visits Israel, August 16-18, 2016 EUCOM Commander Scaparrotti visits Israel, August 16-18, 2016.jpg
Scaparrotti and Israel's military chief Gadi Eizenkot, 16 August 2016

Scaparrotti assumed command of the 82nd Airborne Division on October 1, 2008, and deployed the headquarters to Eastern Afghanistan where he served as the commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force 82 and Regional Command East. [8]

On October 15, 2010, Scaparrotti assumed command of I Corps and Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) at Fort Lewis, Washington. [9] While serving as I Corps commander, Scaparrotti served concurrently as commander, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command and deputy commander, U.S. Forces – Afghanistan from July 11, 2011 [10] to June 12, 2012. [11] In July 2012, Scaparrotti took over as director of the Joint Staff. [12] He was succeeded as I Corps commander by Lieutenant General Robert B. Brown on July 3, 2012. [13]

In August 2013, Scaparrotti took over command of U.S. forces in South Korea, replacing General James D. Thurman. [14] In April 2016, he was succeeded as USFK commander by General Vincent K. Brooks.

In May 2016 he assumed duties as commander of European Command and as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. In April 2018, Scaparotti met General Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, under the auspices of the NATO-Russia Council, in Baku. This act represented the first attempt to build up a dialogue with Moscow after the Crimean crisis and Putin's declaration to empower Russian military capabilities. [15] In May 2019 he was succeeded by General Tod D. Wolters. [16]

Scaparrotti also sits on the Atlantic Council's [17] board of directors.

Awards and decorations

Scaparrotti's awards and decorations include: [18]

Combat Action Badge.svg    Combat Action Badge
Expert Infantry Badge.svg    Expert Infantryman Badge
Ranger Tab.svg    Ranger tab
Master Parachutist badge (United States).svg    Master Parachutist Badge
BW Sonderabzeichen Fallschirmspringer.png    German Parachutist Badge in bronze
Joint Chiefs of Staff seal.svg    Joint Staff Identification Badge
United States Army Staff Identification Badge.png    Army Staff Identification Badge
USEUCOM.svg    United States European Command Badge
82nd Airborne Division CSIB.svg    82nd Airborne Division CSIB
325InfRegtDUI.png    325th Infantry Regiment DUI
ArmyOSB.svg   6 Overseas Service Bars
Defense Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Defense Distinguished Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg
Army Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg
US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg
Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
Legion of Merit ribbon.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Legion of Merit with four oak leaf clusters
Bronze Star ribbon.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters
Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Army Achievement Medal ribbon.svg Army Achievement Medal
Joint Meritorious Unit Award ribbon.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Bronze oakleaf-3d.svg Joint Meritorious Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters
Valorous Unit Award ribbon.svg Valorous Unit Award
Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg Meritorious Unit Commendation
Army Superior Unit Award ribbon.svg Superior Unit Award
National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg National Defense Service Medal with two bronze service stars
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Afghanistan Campaign ribbon.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three bronze campaign stars
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korea Defense Service ribbon.svg Korea Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal ribbon.svg Armed Forces Service Medal
Ribbonstar-bronze.svg
Humanitarian Service ribbon.svg
Humanitarian Service Medal with one service star
Army Service Ribbon.svg Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon.svg Award numeral 4.png Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 4
NATO Meritorious Service Medal bar.svg NATO Meritorious Service Medal
NATO Medal Yugoslavia ribbon bar.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia with two bronze service stars
Tong-il Security Medel Ribbon.svg Order of National Security Merit, Tong-il Medal (Republic of Korea)
POL Order Zaslugi RP kl2 BAR.svg Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland [19]
ITA OMRI 2001 GUff BAR.svg Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Grand Officer
Ribbon of the Order of Duke Trpimir.png Order of Duke Trpimir (Croatia)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">XVIII Airborne Corps</span> American military formation

The XVIII Airborne Corps is a corps of the United States Army that has been in existence since 1942 and saw extensive service during World War II. The corps is designed for rapid deployment anywhere in the world and is referred to as "America's Contingency Corps." Its headquarters are at Fort Liberty, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Helmick</span>

Frank Helmick is a retired United States Army lieutenant general. He is the former commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps. From February to December 2011, he additionally served as the deputy commanding general for operations, United States Forces – Iraq. Prior to assuming command of the XVIII Airborne Corps, LTG Helmick commanded the Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq along with the NATO Training Mission-Iraq from July 3, 2008 to October 7, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benjamin R. Mixon</span> US Army general

Benjamin Randaulph "Randy" Mixon is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Army who last served as commanding general of United States Army Pacific. Prior to that, Mixon served as the commander of the Multi-National Division North in Iraq.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David M. Rodriguez</span> US Army general

David Mitchell "Rod" Rodriguez is an American armyfour-star general who served as the Commander of the United States Africa Command from April 2013 till August 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James L. Terry</span> US Army general

James L. Terry is a retired lieutenant general of the United States Army. Terry has commanded at multiple levels across the Army. Terry's last assignment was as the commanding general of United States Army Central, retiring 17 November 2015. Terry served as the last commander of V Corps before its inactivation in 2013. While commanding V Corps, he concurrently served as Commander, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command (IJC), and as deputy commander of United States Forces Afghanistan. He was the Commanding General of the 10th Mountain Division from 2009 to 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philip M. Breedlove</span> US Air Force general

Philip Mark Breedlove is a retired four-star general in the United States Air Force who served as the commander of U.S. European Command, as well as the 17th Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) of NATO Allied Command Operations, from May 2013 until May 4, 2016. He previously served as the commander of U.S. Air Forces Europe, which he concurrently served as commander of U.S. Air Forces Africa, commander of Air Component Command, Ramstein, and director of Joint Air Power Competence Center. He previously served as the 36th vice chief of staff of the United States Air Force from January 14, 2011, to July 27, 2012. On 10 May 2013, in a ceremony in Stuttgart, Germany, Breedlove took over the command of USEUCOM. Three days later, on May 13, 2013, he assumed command as SACEUR.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John F. Campbell (general)</span> United States Army general

John Francis Campbell is a retired United States Army general who was commander of the Resolute Support Mission and United States Forces – Afghanistan. He was the 16th and last commander of the International Security Assistance Force. Prior to this, he served as the 34th Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army. He is currently a member of the board of directors of IAP, and BAE Systems, and serves on the advisory board of Code of Support Foundation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dennis L. Via</span> United States Army general

Dennis L. Via is a retired United States Army four-star general who last served as the 18th commanding general of the United States Army Materiel Command from August 7, 2012 to September 30, 2016. He is the first Signal Corps officer since General Henry H. Arnold to achieve four-star rank. He retired from the army on September 30, 2016 after over 36 years of service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Viet Xuan Luong</span> United States Army major general (born 1965)

Việt Xuan Luong is a retired United States Army major general. He is the first American officer promoted to general officer rank who was born in Vietnam. He last served as the Commanding General of United States Army, Japan/I Corps Forward. He previously served as the Deputy Commanding General (Operations), Eighth Army. His prior assignments included chief of staff of United States Army Central; Director of Joint and Integration, Headquarters Department of the Army, G-8; assistant division commander–maneuver for the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, concurrent with assignment as commander, Train Advise Assist Command – South, Resolute Support Mission Joint Command, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Afghanistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrick J. Donahue II</span> United States Army general

Patrick James Donahue II is a United States Army lieutenant general who served as deputy commander, United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben Hodges</span> United States Army officer (born 1958)

Frederick Benjamin "Ben" Hodges III is a retired United States Army officer who served as commanding general, United States Army Europe. He has been Senior Advisor to Human Rights First since June 2022 and also serves as NATO Senior Mentor for Logistics. He previously held the Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies at the Center for European Policy Analysis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen J. Townsend</span> United States Army four-star general

Stephen J. Townsend is a retired United States Army four-star general who served as Commander United States Africa Command from 26 July 2019 to 8 August 2022. He previously commanded the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command from March 2018 until June 2019 and XVIII Airborne Corps from May 2015 until January 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin S. Miller</span> Retired US Army general (born 1961)

Austin Scott Miller is a retired four-star general in the United States Army and former Delta Force commander who served as the final commander of NATO's Resolute Support Mission and United States Forces – Afghanistan from 2 September 2018 to 12 July 2021. He previously served as the commander of Joint Special Operations Command from 30 March 2016 to August 2018. He participated in numerous combat operations, such as the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993, and, since 2001, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He retired from the Army in December after relinquishing command in July 2021. Miller currently serves on the board of advisors for Striveworks and the board of directors for Workhorse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurt J. Ryan</span> United States Army general

Major General Kurt J. Ryan is a retired General Officer from the United States Army and was the 20th Commanding General of the United States Army Surface Deployment and Distribution Command. Previously, he served as the 39th Chief of Ordnance for the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps and Commandant of the United States Army Ordnance School at Fort Lee, Virginia. Major General Ryan served as the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4 (Logistics) for U.S. Army Forces Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina from March 2018 to June 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christopher G. Cavoli</span> United States Army general

Christopher Gerard Cavoli is a general in the United States Army who serves as the commander of United States European Command since 1 July 2022 and Supreme Allied Commander Europe since 4 July 2022. He previously served as the commanding general of United States Army Europe and Africa from October 2020 to June 2022, and before that as the commanding general of United States Army Europe from January 2018 to September 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael X. Garrett</span> US Army general (born 1961)

Michael Xavier Garrett is a retired general in the United States Army who served as the commanding general of United States Army Forces Command from 2019 to 2022. He previously served as the commanding general of United States Army Central, chief of staff of United States Central Command and commanding general of United States Army Alaska.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Curtis A. Buzzard</span> US Army general

Curtis Alan Buzzard is a United States Army major general who serves as the commanding general of the United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Moore since July 14, 2022. Prior to that, he served as the deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and training of the United States Army Forces Command from January 2022 to June 2022, and as the 78th Commandant of Cadets of the United States Military Academy from June 2019 to May 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Donahue (general)</span> United States Army general (born 1969)

Christopher Todd Donahue is a United States Army lieutenant general who has served as the commanding general of XVIII Airborne Corps since March 11, 2022. He most recently served as commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. Throughout his career, Donahue served in staff and command positions for both United States Army and Special Operations units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles A. Flynn</span> United States Army general

Charles A. Flynn is a United States Army general who serves as commanding general of United States Army Pacific since 4 June 2021. He previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Training (G3/5/7) of the Army Staff from June 2019 to May 2021. He is the younger brother of Lieutenant General Michael T. Flynn, Donald Trump's first National Security Advisor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Kurilla</span> U.S. Army general

Michael Erik Kurilla is a United States Army general who serves as the 15th commander of United States Central Command since 1 April 2022. He previously served as the commanding general of XVIII Airborne Corps and before that as the chief of staff of United States Central Command.

References

  1. ↑ Vandiver, John. "For Next EUCOM Chief, Old Threats Made New Poses Challenge". Stars and Stripes . Retrieved November 22, 2020. "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."
  2. ↑ "NATO announces nomination of General Curtis M. Scaparrotti as Supreme Allied Commander Europe".
  3. ↑ http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-113shrg87878/pdf/CHRG-113shrg87878.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  4. ↑ "United States Forces Korea | Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti". Archived from the original on 2013-10-14. Retrieved 2013-10-07.
  5. ↑ "United States Forces Korea | Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti". Archived from the original on 2013-10-14. Retrieved 2013-10-07.
  6. ↑ "United States Forces Korea | Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti". Archived from the original on 2013-10-14. Retrieved 2013-10-07.
  7. ↑ http://www.usma.edu/Publicaffairs/PV/040820/comm.htm , U.S. Military Academy, August 4, 2004. Archived December 30, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ 82nd Airborne assumes command in eastern Afghanistan, U.S. Army News, June 4, 2009.
  9. ↑ I Corps Salutes New Leader, Tacoma News Tribune, October 16, 2010. [ dead link ]
  10. ↑ "Lieutenant General Curtis Scaparrotti". Isaf.nato.int. International Security Assistance Force. July 11, 2011. Archived from the original on June 27, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  11. ↑ "DVIDS — Images — Change of command ceremony [Image 2 of 3]". Dvidshub.net. Archived from the original on September 21, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Joint Chiefs of Staff Official Web Site". Archived from the original on 2012-09-13. Retrieved 2012-09-05.
  13. ↑ "Commanding General". lewis-mcchord.army.mil. Archived from the original on 12 December 2012. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  14. ↑ "Scaparrotti to take over USFK during times of change". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  15. ↑ Wojciechowski, Slawomir (January 1, 2019). "Military Security in Central and Eastern Europe – from overarching principles to current NATO perspectives" (PDF). Scientific Journal of the Military University of Land Forces. 51 (3): 550. doi: 10.5604/01.3001.0013.5009 . ISSN   2544-7122. OCLC   8598142162. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 21, 2021 – via Paperity.org.
  16. ↑ cf. Supreme Allied Commander Europe
  17. ↑ "Board of Directors". Atlantic Council. Retrieved 2020-02-12.
  18. ↑ "United States Forces Korea | Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti". Archived from the original on 2013-10-14. Retrieved 2013-10-07.
  19. ↑ Prezydent odznaczył generała Scaparrottiego Orderem Zasługi RP Archived 2017-04-15 at the Wayback Machine – prezydent.pl
Military offices
Preceded by
Leo Brooks
 Commandant of Cadets of the United States Military Academy
2004–2006		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division
2008–2010		Succeeded by
James Huggins
Preceded by Commanding General of I Corps
2010–2012		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command
2011–2012		Succeeded by
Deputy Commander of United States Forces-Afghanistan
2011–2012
Preceded by Director of the Joint Staff
2012-2013		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of United Nations Command, Commander of United States Forces Korea and Commander of ROK/US Combined Forces Command
2013–2016		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commander of the United States European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe
2016–2019		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.