Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr.
{{Short description|American Marine Corps general}}
{{Infobox military person
| name = Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr.
| image = General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr (USCENTCOM).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = McKenzie in 2019
| nickname = Frank
| birth_date = {{Birth based on age as of date|62|2019|3|29}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/military/meet-centcoms-new-boss-marine-gen-kenneth-mckenzie-jr-takes-command-20190328/|title = Meet CentCom's new boss: Marine Gen. Kenneth McKenzie Jr. Takes command}}
| birth_place = Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| placeofburial =
| allegiance = United States
| branch = United States Marine Corps
| serviceyears = 1979–2022
| rank = General
| servicenumber =
| unit = 1st Battalion, 6th Marines
| commands = United States Central Command
22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit
1st Battalion, 6th Marines
| battles = Kosovo War (1998-
Iraq War
| awards = {{nowrap|Defense Distinguished Service Medal}}
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal (3)
Legion of Merit (3)
Bronze Star Medal
| relations =
| laterwork =
}}
Kenneth Franklin McKenzie Jr.{{cite news |url=https://today.citadel.edu/citadel-announces-graduation-speakers-for-the-class-of-2019/ |publisher=The Citadel |title=Citadel Announces Graduation Speakers for the Class of 2019 |date=March 15, 2019 |access-date=March 29, 2019}} (born 1956 or 1957) is a retired United States Marine Corps general who served as the 14th commander of the United States Central Command from March 28, 2019 to April 1, 2022.{{cite news |url=https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2018/08/21/new-centcom-socom-leadership-named/ |publisher=Military Times |title=New CENTCOM, SOCOM leadership named |first=Tara |last=Copp |date=August 21, 2018 |access-date=March 28, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/28237|title=Webcast: CENTCOM Welcomes New Commander|date=April 1, 2022|website=DVIDS}} He served as Director of the Joint Staff from July 5, 2017 after having previously served for two years as Director of Strategic Plans and Policy (J-5) on the Joint Staff.{{cite web|url=http://www.jcs.mil/Leadership/Article-View/Article/626741/lt-gen-kenneth-f-mckenzie-jr/|title=Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. > Joint Chiefs of Staff > Article View|website=www.jcs.mil|access-date=2017-09-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104031600/http://www.jcs.mil/Leadership/Article-View/Article/626741/lt-gen-kenneth-f-mckenzie-jr/|archive-date=2019-01-04|url-status=dead}}
In May 2022, he became the Executive Director of the Global and National Security Institute, University of South Florida, and in July 2022 he was appointed Executive Director for the Florida Center for Cybersecurity. He also serves as the President, Board of Directors, of the Institute for Applied Engineering, University of South Florida.{{cite web|url=https://www.usf.edu/gnsi/about/leadership.aspx|title=Leadership}}
Early life and education
A native of Birmingham, Alabama, McKenzie was commissioned in 1979 via the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps at The Citadel. McKenzie holds a master's degree in history from the National Defense University and has served as a Senior Military Fellow at the school's Institute for National Strategic Studies. He is an Honors Graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the School of Advanced Warfighting.{{Cite web|url=http://the-atc.org/c16a/speakers/lieutenant-general-kenneth-f-mckenzie-jr/|title=U.S.-Turkey Business Council|access-date=2019-03-26|archive-date=2019-02-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190219090937/http://the-atc.org/c16a/speakers/lieutenant-general-kenneth-f-mckenzie-jr/|url-status=usurped}}
Military career
As an infantry officer McKenzie's assignments have included command of the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, and of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, which he led on deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan.{{cite web|url=http://www.22ndmeu.marines.mil/News/Article-View/Article/510153/mckenzie-relinquishes-22nd-meu/|title=McKenzie relinquishes 22nd MEU}} He also served as Military Secretary to two Commandants of the Marine Corps.
McKenzie's general officer posts have included Deputy Director of Operations for the National Military Command Center in the Pentagon. In 2008 he was selected by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to serve as director of his new administration transition team, overseeing the transition of military forces under incoming President Barack Obama. He returned to Afghanistan serving as Deputy Chief of Staff for Stability under the International Security Assistance Force,{{cite web|url=http://www.citadel.edu/root/three_generals_afghanistan|title=Three Citadel grads now on the front lines in Afghanistan – The Citadel – Charleston, SC|website=www.citadel.edu|access-date=2017-09-14|archive-date=2019-09-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903155826/http://www.citadel.edu/root/three_generals_afghanistan|url-status=dead}} followed by a tour as Director of Strategy, Plans and Policy at United States Central Command. He then returned to the Pentagon to serve as the Marine Corps Representative to the Quadrennial Defense Review and, after receiving his third star, was appointed Commanding General of United States Marine Forces Central Command.{{cite web|url=http://www.tbo.com/list/military-news/marcent-gets-new-commander-today-in-macdill-ceremony-20140618/|title=Marcent gets new commander in MacDill ceremony|date=18 June 2014|access-date=14 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708080255/http://www.tbo.com/list/military-news/marcent-gets-new-commander-today-in-macdill-ceremony-20140618/|archive-date=8 July 2018|url-status=dead}}
File:CENTCOM commander hosts Israel Defense Forces senior leaders.jpg Chief of General Staff Aviv Kochavi attend a briefing at CENTCOM headquarters, June 2021]]
File:CENTCOM arrives at Hamid Karzai International Airport Image 1 of 2.jpg during the 2021 Fall of Kabul]]
As CENTCOM commander, McKenzie oversaw the successful high-profile special forces raid in Syria to kill or capture then-Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in October 2019,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50243895|title=Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi: US releases first images of raid on compound|work=BBC News|date=31 October 2019}} and the 2020–2021 withdrawals and reductions of U.S. troops from Iraq.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/19/world/asia/afghanistan-us-troop-withdrawal.html|title=U.S. Troops in Afghanistan Reduced to 8,600, General Says|access-date=19 June 2020|website=The New York Times|date=19 June 2020|last1=Mashal|first1=Mujib}}
During the 2020–2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, McKenzie replaced General Austin "Scott" Miller as leader of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan upon the latter's resignation on July 12, 2021, with Miller's departure perceived by some as "the symbolic end of the U.S. military mission in Afghanistan."{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/commander-u-s-nato-forces-afghanistan-stepping-down-n1273665|title = Commander of U.S., NATO forces in Afghanistan steps down|website = NBC News| date=12 July 2021 }} One month later, McKenzie was responsible for the August 2021 Kabul drone strike which targeted and killed civilians, 7 children and 3 adults.{{Cite web|url=https://www.centcom.mil/MEDIA/Transcripts/Article/2781320/general-kenneth-f-mckenzie-jr-commander-of-us-central-command-and-pentagon-pres/|title=General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. Commander of U.S. Central Command and Pentagon Press Secre}}
McKenzie retired from active duty on 1 April 2022, after relinquishing command of CENTCOM to General Michael Kurilla.{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/2022/03/08/senate-section/article/S1051-3 |title=EXECUTIVE AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS; Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 41 (Senate - March 08, 2022) |date=March 8, 2022 |website=U.S. Congress }}{{Cite web |title=General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr. |url=https://www.defense.gov/About/Biographies/Biography/Article/2047197/general-kenneth-f-mckenzie-jr/https://www.defense.gov/About/Biographies/Biography/Article/2047197/general-kenneth-f-mckenzie-jr/ |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=www.defense.gov |language=en-US}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
Awards and decorations
| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|colspan="4" align="center"|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
| {{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}22px22px |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}}22px22px |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Bronze Star ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
| {{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Meritorious Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Meritorious Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}22px22px |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Combat Action Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
| {{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Meritorious Unit Award (USMC and USN frame).svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Unit Commendation ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=KosovoRib.svg|width=106}} |
| {{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Afghanistan Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}18px18px
|{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=Iraq Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Korea Defense Service ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
| {{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Humanitarian_Service_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg|width=106}}18px18px18px18px |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy Arctic Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=NATO medal for Kosovo ribbon.svg|width=106}} |
| colspan="4"|130px |
| colspan="4"|130px |
Effective dates of promotion
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=February 2022}}
| class="wikitable"
|+ Promotions ! Insignia !! Rank !! Date | ||
| |{{Dodseal|USMCO1|75}} | Second Lieutenant | June 8, 1979 |
| |{{Dodseal|USMCO2|75}} | First Lieutenant | June 1, 1981 |
| |{{Dodseal|USMCO3|75}} | Captain | February 1, 1985 |
| |{{Dodseal|USMCO4|75}} | Major | Sept 1, 1989 |
| |{{Dodseal|USMCO5|75}} | Lieutenant Colonel | Oct 5, 1995 |
| |{{Dodseal|USMCO6|75}} | Colonel | Oct 8, 2001 |
| |{{Dodseal|USMCO7|75}} | |Brigadier General | July 1, 2007 |
| |75px | Major General | March 5, 2011 |
| |{{Dodseal|USMCO9|75}} | Lieutenant General | June 3, 2014 |
| |{{Dodseal|USMCO10|75}} | General | March 15, 2019 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Wikiquote}}
- [https://www.centcom.mil/ABOUT-US/LEADERSHIP/Bio-Article-View/Article/1798987/commander-general-kenneth-f-mckenzie-jr/ U.S. Central Command Biography]
- {{C-SPAN|72663}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef|before=Robert Neller}}
{{s-ttl|title=Commander of the United States Marine Forces Central Command|years=2014–2015}}
{{s-aft|after=William D. Beydler}}
{{s-bef|before=Frank Craig Pandolfe}}
{{s-ttl|title=Director for Strategy, Plans and Policy of the Joint Staff|years=2015–2017}}
{{s-aft|after=Richard D. Clarke}}
{{s-bef|before=William C. Mayville Jr.}}
{{s-ttl|title=Director of the Joint Staff|years=2017–2019}}
{{s-aft|after=Michael M. Gilday}}
{{s-bef|before=Joseph Votel}}
{{s-ttl|title=Commander of United States Central Command|years=2019–2022}}
{{s-aft|after=Michael Kurilla}}
{{s-end}}
{{CentComHeads}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McKenzie, Kenneth F.}}
Category:United States Marine Corps generals
Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Iraq War
Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Category:Military personnel from Birmingham, Alabama
Category:Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Category:Recipients of the Defense Superior Service Medal
Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit
Category:Recipients of the Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
Category:Members of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America