INSCOM NEWS

Dec. 1, 1997--INSCOM Commander Gets Second Star
Maj. Gen. John D. Thomas Jr. was promoted to his present rank in a ceremony Dec. 1 outside the headquarters of the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command at Fort Belvoir, Va. Thomas commands the major command, which conducts dominant intelligence, security and information operations for military commanders and national decision makers. INSCOM units are stationed world wide.

Lt. Gen. Claudia J. Kennedy, deputy chief of staff for intelligence, Department of the Army, officiated the ceremony.

"It takes an entire Army to raise a general like this — tactically and technically proficient," said Kennedy. "One half of all the generals in the Army are brigadier generals (one star). From brigadier to major general is a big cut — John D. Thomas Jr. more than made the cut. He has made INSCOM a leader," she said.

Command Sgt. Maj. Sterling T. McCormick removed the single stars from the general’s battle dress uniform. Thomas’ mother, Mellina Thomas, and his wife, Verdun, pinned on the INSCOM commander’s new rank.

"This promotion is a recognition of what INSCOM means to the Army," said Thomas. "Our Army’s the world’s best and I’m proud to be a part of it. I wouldn’t be here without a lot of support from people," he said.

Thomas became the ninth commander of the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command when he took command Aug. 23, 1996. In his most recent prior assignment, he served as the associate deputy director for operations (military support) at the National Security Agency and deputy chief, Central Security Service. A former enlisted soldier and Field Artillery officer, Thomas completed his first assignment as a Military Intelligence Corps officer at Field Station Augsburg, Germany. He has served in several assignments, including the Combined Forces Command/US Forces Korea, the Department of the Army Staff and Joint Staff level positions. He is a Master Army Aviator in both fixed wing and rotary aircraft and is a fixed wing instructor pilot.

Among his awards, Thomas holds the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster. He is authorized to wear the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge and the Army Staff Identification Badge.

Thomas holds a bachelor of arts degree in history from Wilkes College, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and a master of arts degree in international relations from the University of Southern California. He is a native of Plymouth, Pa.

INSCOM Commanders
Maj. Gen. John D. Thomas Jr.
Brig. Gen. Trent N. Thomas
Maj. Gen. Paul E. Menoher Jr.
Maj. Gen. Charles F. Scanlon
Maj. Gen. Stanley H. Hyman
Maj. Gen. Harry E. Soyster
Maj. Gen. Albert N. Stubblebine III
Brig. Gen. :John A. Smith (Acting)
Maj. Gen. William I. Rolya

ANNOUNCEMENTS

   Last Updated: December 03, 1997