The graduating class of 2015 represents the Joint Force: 387 students competitively selected from the joint U.S. military, federal agency, and multinational security environment: 217 Army officers, 12 Navy, 32 Air Force, 17 Marine Corps and one Coast Guard officer, representing Active, Reserve and National Guard. The Class includes 79 International Officers, and 29 senior civilians of federal agencies engaged in national security.
Graduation speaker GEN Raymond Odierno assumed duty as the 38th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army on 7 September 2011.
A native of Rockaway, New Jersey, General Odierno attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1976 with a commission in Field Artillery. During more than 37 years of service, he has commanded units at every echelon, from platoon to theater, with duty in Germany, Albania, Kuwait, Iraq, and the United States. He is a 1995 graduate of the U.S. Army War College.
From October 2001 to June 2004, General Odierno commanded the 4th Infantry Division, leading the division during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from April 2003 to March 2004. From December 2006 to February 2008, he served as the Commanding General, Multi-National Corps - Iraq (III Corps) as the operational commander of the surge of forces. Later, he served as the Commanding General, Multi- National Force - Iraq and subsequently United States Forces - Iraq, from September 2008 until September 2010. From October 2010 until August 2011, he was the Commander of United States Joint Forces Command.
