Christopher G. Cavoli

{{Infobox military person

| image = Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli (3).jpg

| caption = Official portrait, 2022

| birth_date = September 1964

| birth_place = Würzburg, West Germany

| death_date =

| death_place =

| allegiance = United States

| branch = United States Army

| serviceyears = 1987–present

| rank = General

| commands = {{plainlist|

| battles = {{ubl|Gulf War|War in Afghanistan}}

| awards = {{ubl|Army Distinguished Service Medal (2)|Defense Superior Service Medal|Legion of Merit (3)|Bronze Star Medal (2)}}

| alma_mater = {{plainlist|

Princeton University (BA)
Yale University (MA)}}

| spouse = Christina Cavoli

| children = 2

| module = {{Listen

|pos = center

|embed = yes

|filename = General Cavoli Opening Statement at EUCOM Confirmation Hearing.ogg

|title = Christopher G. Cavoli's voice

|type = speech

|description = Cavoli's opening statement at his confirmation hearing to be commander of U.S. European Command
Recorded 26 May 2022}}

}}

Christopher Gerard Cavoli{{cite web |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/video/768771/promotion-ceremony-iho-ltg-christopher-cavoli-hosted-vcsa |title=Promotion Ceremony iho LTG Christopher Cavoli hosted by VCSA |date=7 October 2020 |access-date=1 July 2022 |website=DVIDS |archive-date=7 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807204432/https://www.dvidshub.net/video/768771/promotion-ceremony-iho-ltg-christopher-cavoli-hosted-vcsa |url-status=live}} is a four star 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.

Commissioned into the infantry from the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, Cavoli served in the War in Afghanistan and commanded a brigade of the 1st Armored Division, the 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command, and the 25th Infantry Division before assuming command of USAREUR in January 2018.

Early years

Born in Sep 1964 to an Italian-American army officer during the Cold War in Würzburg, West Germany, Cavoli grew up in Rome, Verona, Vicenza, and Giessen.{{Cite news |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/news/262396/cavoli-assumes-command-us-army-europe |title=Cavoli assumes command of U.S. Army Europe |last=Dillard |first=Tamika |date=18 January 2018 |access-date=17 July 2018 |publisher=U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs |archive-date=17 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717212917/https://www.dvidshub.net/news/262396/cavoli-assumes-command-us-army-europe |url-status=live}} He graduated from Princeton University with a B.A. in biology in 1987. As part of his undergraduate degree, Cavoli completed a 22-page senior thesis titled "The Effect of Earthworms on the Vertical Distribution of Slime Molds in the Soil."{{Cite thesis |last=Cavoli |first=Christopher Gerard |publisher=Princeton University. Department of Biology |title=The Effect of Earthworms on the Vertical Distribution of Slime Molds in the Soil |url=https://catalog.princeton.edu/catalog/dsp018049g531d |language=en |access-date=2020-05-31 |archive-date=2022-04-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407042139/https://catalog.princeton.edu/catalog/dsp018049g531d |url-status=live}}

Military career

Cavoli was commissioned into the Infantry from the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at Princeton. He was first assigned as a second lieutenant to the 3rd Battalion, 325th Airborne at Vicenza from 1988 to 1991.

Cavoli was promoted to captain and served as an instructor at Ranger School between 1992 and 1994.

He entered the Russian Foreign Area Officer program in 1995, and graduated from Yale University with a Master of Arts in Russian and East European Studies in 1997.{{Cite journal |date=1998 |title=About the contributors |journal=The Journal of Slavic Military Studies |volume=11 |issue=2 |pages=5–6 |doi=10.1080/13518049808430337}}

=Peace Enforcement in Bosnia=

In 1999, he became chief of future operations for the 10th Mountain Division as a major and deployed to Bosnia with Stabilisation Force, before serving as an infantry battalion operations officer between 2000 and 2001.

=NDU professor of Russian studies=

As a lieutenant colonel, Cavoli served successively as Director for Russia on the Joint Staff Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate from 2001, as deputy executive assistant for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2003, and became a senior fellow at the National Defense University in 2004.{{Cite web |url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-cavoli-3634746/ |title=Chris Cavoli |last=Cavoli |first=Chris |website=LinkedIn |access-date=17 July 2018}}

=Deployment to Afghanistan=

Cavoli became commander of the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division in 2005. The battalion deployed to Kunar Province during the War in Afghanistan with the brigade in 2006. He then commanded the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, in addition to serving as the deputy commander of Regional Command West in Herat during the War in Afghanistan.

Cavoli also served as the director of the Coordination Group of the Chief of Staff of the United States Army.

He has held fellowships at the National Defense University, the George C. Marshall Center for European Security Studies in Garmisch-Partenkirchen,{{Cite news |url=https://www.stripes.com/news/warrior-scholar-cavoli-takes-reins-at-usareur-1.507300 |title=Warrior-scholar Cavoli takes reins at USAREUR |last=Stoutamire |first=Dan |date=18 January 2018 |work=Stars and Stripes |access-date=17 July 2018 |archive-date=18 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718001301/https://www.stripes.com/news/warrior-scholar-cavoli-takes-reins-at-usareur-1.507300 |url-status=live}} and the Strategic Studies Group of the Army Chief of Staff.{{Cite web |url=http://alumni.princeton.edu/learntravel/alumnistudies/summer14/presenters/bios/presenter2.xml |title="The Paradox of War" Alumni Companion Program, June 1 – July 13, 2014: Webinar Presenter |date=2014 |publisher=Alumni Association of Princeton University |access-date=17 July 2018 |archive-date=16 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216010322/http://alumni.princeton.edu/learntravel/alumnistudies/summer14/presenters/bios/presenter2.xml |url-status=dead}}

=Service in Germany=

File:Secretary of Defense Carter visits the Grafenwoehr Training Area, June 26, 2015 (18988969200).jpg and Cavoli in the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany on 26 June 2015]]

After serving as deputy commanding general for operations of the 82nd Airborne Division, Cavoli became commander of the 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command at Grafenwoehr Training Area in July 2014.{{Cite news |url=https://www.army.mil/article/130284/cavoli_takes_reins_of_7th_army_joint_multinational_training_command |title=Cavoli takes reins of 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command |date=22 July 2014 |access-date=17 July 2018 |publisher=JMTC Public Affairs Office |archive-date=4 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504152715/https://www.army.mil/article/130284/cavoli_takes_reins_of_7th_army_joint_multinational_training_command |url-status=live}}

He was assigned to command the 25th Infantry Division on 25 March 2016,{{Cite news |url=http://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/705322/general-officer-assignments/ |title=General Officer Assignments |date=25 March 2016 |access-date=17 July 2018 |publisher=Department of Defense |archive-date=17 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717212602/https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/705322/general-officer-assignments/ |url-status=live}} and officially assumed command in a ceremony on 4 August. He was confirmed by the Senate for promotion to major general on 26 May 2016.{{Cite news |url=https://www.army.mil/article/170470/us_armys_european_training_command_to_change_commanders_july_15 |title=U.S. Army's European training command to change commanders, July 15 |date=27 June 2016 |access-date=17 July 2018 |publisher=7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command |archive-date=17 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717215832/https://www.army.mil/article/170470/us_armys_european_training_command_to_change_commanders_july_15 |url-status=live}}

=Command of US Army Europe=

He assumed command of United States Army Europe in a ceremony on 18 January 2018 after being confirmed by the Senate for promotion to lieutenant general on 20 December 2017.{{Cite news |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/115th-congress/1263/all-info |title=PN1263 – Maj. Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli – Army |date=20 December 2017 |access-date=17 July 2018 |publisher=United States Congress |archive-date=18 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718030539/https://www.congress.gov/nomination/115th-congress/1263/all-info |url-status=live}}

File:2022 USEUCOM Change of Command 220701-Z-JY390-004.jpg

On 1 July 2020, Cavoli was nominated and confirmed by the Senate on 30 September 2020, for appointment to the rank of general,{{Cite news |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/116th-congress/2080 |title=PN2080 – Lt. Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli – Army |date=1 July 2020 |access-date=2 July 2020 |publisher=United States Congress |archive-date=2 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702163213/https://www.congress.gov/nomination/116th-congress/2080 |url-status=live}} and assignment as the commanding general of United States Army Europe and Africa,{{Cite news |last=Lucas |first=Ryan |date=October 1, 2020 |title=Army Consolidating Europe, Africa Commands |work=Association of the United States Army |url=https://www.ausa.org/news/army-consolidating-europe-africa-commands |access-date=October 1, 2020 |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028234605/https://www.ausa.org/news/army-consolidating-europe-africa-commands |url-status=live}} combining the originally separate Army commands. He assumed his new command in Germany on 1 October 2020 and was formally promoted by Army Vice Chief of Staff Joseph M. Martin at the Pentagon on 7 October,{{cite web |url=https://www.dvidshub.net/video/768771/promotion-ceremony-iho-ltg-christopher-cavoli-hosted-vcsa |title=Promotion Ceremony iho LTG Christopher Cavoli hosted by VCSA |date=7 October 2020 |publisher=Defense Visual Information Distribution Service |access-date=9 October 2020 |archive-date=7 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807204432/https://www.dvidshub.net/video/768771/promotion-ceremony-iho-ltg-christopher-cavoli-hosted-vcsa |url-status=live}} with an effective date-of-rank on 1 October.

Defender-Europe 21, one of the largest U.S.-Army, NATO-led military exercises in Europe in decades, began in mid-March 2021 and lasted until June 2021. It included "nearly simultaneous operations across more than 30 training areas" in Estonia, Bulgaria, Romania, Kosovo and other countries.{{cite news |title=Massive, Army-led NATO exercise Defender Europe kicks off |url=https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2021/03/15/massive-army-led-nato-exercise-defender-europe-kicks-off/ |work=Army Times |date=15 March 2021 |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=23 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123133127/https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2021/03/15/massive-army-led-nato-exercise-defender-europe-kicks-off/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=NATO, US to stage large-scale military exercises around Serbia until summer |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/nato-us-to-stage-large-scale-military-exercises-around-serbia-until-summer/ |work=Euractiv |date=22 March 2021 |access-date=19 April 2021 |archive-date=30 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830065509/https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/nato-us-to-stage-large-scale-military-exercises-around-serbia-until-summer/ |url-status=live}} Cavoli said that "While we are closely monitoring the COVID situation, we’ve proven we have the capability to train safely despite the pandemic."

=SACEUR=

In May 2022, his nomination to succeed General Tod Wolters as commander of United States European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe was approved by the Senate.{{cite web |last1=Youssef |first1=Nancy |last2=Lubold |first2=Gordon |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-expected-to-name-new-commander-to-lead-allied-forces-in-europe-11649694813?mod=politics_lead_pos4 |title=White House Expected to Name New Commander to Lead Allied Forces in Europe |date=11 April 2022 |access-date=12 April 2022 |location=Washington, D. C. |website=The Wall Street Journal |archive-date=11 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411233206/https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-expected-to-name-new-commander-to-lead-allied-forces-in-europe-11649694813?mod=politics_lead_pos4 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Myers |first=Meghann |url=https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2022/04/11/army-generals-nominated-to-lead-european-command-special-operations-command-report/ |title=Army generals to be nominated to lead European Command, Special Operations Command: report |date=12 April 2022 |website=Military Times |access-date=12 April 2022 |archive-date=12 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412075810/https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2022/04/11/army-generals-nominated-to-lead-european-command-special-operations-command-report/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/117th-congress/2049?s=1&r=3 |title=PN2049 – Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli – Army, 117th Congress (2021-2022) |date=3 May 2022 |access-date=4 May 2022 |website=U.S. Congress |archive-date=4 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504053133/https://www.congress.gov/nomination/117th-congress/2049?s=1&r=3 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3017779/general-officer-announcement/ |title=General Officer Announcement |date=3 May 2022 |access-date=4 May 2022 |website=U.S. Department of Defense |archive-date=4 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504201433/https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3017779/general-officer-announcement/ |url-status=live}} He assumed command on 4 July 2022. Secretary-General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg took the opportunity to remark on his "entirely new family of NATO defence plans" which had been approved at the 2022 NATO Madrid summit and said "You were quite simply the right leader, at the right post, at the right time."{{cite news |title=NATO welcomes new Supreme Allied Commander Europe |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_197722.htm |publisher=NATO |date=4 July 2022 |access-date=9 January 2023 |archive-date=9 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109205137/https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_197722.htm |url-status=live}} Cavoli is the author of a 4000-page plan to discuss at the 2023 Vilnius Summit for updating NATO's military commands and preparations.{{Cite news |title=NATO is drafting new plans to defend Europe |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/international/2023/07/02/nato-is-drafting-new-plans-to-defend-europe |date=2023-07-02 |issn=0013-0613}}

Awards and decorations

{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}

|Army Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}

|Defense Superior Service Medal

{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=oak|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=60}}14px14px

|Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters

{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|name=Bronze Star ribbon|width=60}}

|Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}

|Defense Meritorious Service Medal

{{ribbon devices|number=4|type=oak|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}14px14px14px14px

|Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters

{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Service Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}

|Joint Service Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster

{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}

|Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Achievement Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}

|Army Achievement Medal

{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Meritorious Unit Award ribbon.svg|width=60}}14px14px

|Joint Meritorious Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Meritorious Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=60}}

|Meritorious Unit Commendation

{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}

|National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}

|Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

{{ribbon devices|number=2|type=service-star|ribbon=Southwest Asia Service Medal ribbon (1991-2016).svg|width=60}}11px11px

|Southwest Asia Service Medal with two service stars

{{ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Afghanistan Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}11px11px11px

|Afghanistan Campaign Medal with three service stars

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg|width=60}}

|Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Humanitarian Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}}

|Humanitarian Service Medal

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Service Ribbon.svg|width=60}}

|Army Service Ribbon

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=numeral|ribbon=Army Overseas Service Ribbon.svg|width=60}}12px

|Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 6

{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=NATO_Medal_Yugoslavia_ribbon_bar.svg|width=60}}

|NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia

60px

|Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

60px

|Commander of the Order for Merits to Lithuania (27 March 2023){{Cite web |title=Apdovanotų asmenų duomenų bazė |trans-title=Database of awarded persons |url=https://www.lrp.lt/lt/prezidento-veikla/apdovanojimai/apdovanotu-asmenu-duomenu-baze/27252/p10?sqid=d3c32597872513463f03a77be0e13686a6280316 |access-date=29 June 2023 |website=Lietuvos Respublikos Prezidentas |language=lt}}

60px

|Grand Cross of Naval Merit (with white distinctive) (Spain) (2024)

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|Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (Poland) (2024){{Cite web |title=Postanowienie Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej z dnia 8 sierpnia 2024 r. nr rej. 399/2024 o nadaniu orderów (M.P. 2024 poz. 834) |url=https://isap.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/download.xsp/WMP20240000834/O/M20240834.pdf |website=ISAP – Internetowy System Aktów Prawnych |access-date=29 April 2025 |date=26 September 2024 |language=pl}}

60px

|1st Class of the Order of the Cross of the Eagle (Estonia) (2025){{Cite web |title=President annab tänavu teenetemärgi 157 inimesele |url=https://www.err.ee/1609595192/president-annab-tanavu-teenetemargi-157-inimesele |website=Eesti Rahvusringhääling |access-date=5 February 2025 |date=5 February 2025 |language=et}}

60px

|Grand Officer of the Order of the Star of Romania (for militaries, with peace distinctive) (Romania) (2025){{Cite web |title=Decrete de decorare semnate de Președintele interimar al României, Ilie Bolojan |url=https://www.presidency.ro/ro/media/comunicate-de-presa/decrete-de-decorare-semnate-de-presedintele-interimar-al-romaniei-ilie-bolojan1742894263 |website=Președintele României. Administrația Prezidențială |access-date=28 March 2025 |date=25 March 2025 |language=ro}}

Personal life

Cavoli is married to Christina (née Dacey) of Fairfax, Virginia, and they have two sons, Alex and Nick. A speaker of French, Italian, and Russian, he is a Foreign Area Officer with a concentration on Eurasia.