David G. Perkins

David Gerard Perkins (born November 12, 1957) is a retired United States Army four-star general. His last assignment before retiring was commander of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command.

David G. Perkins
Born	November 12, 1957 Goffstown, New Hampshire
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1980–2018
Rank	General
Commands held	United States Army Training and Doctrine Command United States Army Combined Arms Center 4th Infantry Division Joint Multinational Training Command, Germany 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment
Battles/wars	Iraq War Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation New Dawn
Awards	Army Distinguished Service Medal (3) Silver Star Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal (2)

Early life

Perkins was born in Goffstown, New Hampshire, on November 12, 1957, and was raised in Keene, New Hampshire; Rochester, New York; and Fairport, New York.[1][2] Perkins earned his Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout award in 1974, and graduated from Fairport High School in 1976.[3][4]

Military career

Perkins graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1980 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Armor.[5] In 1988, he received a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan.[6] He completed both Ranger and Airborne Schools. He then served in armor assignments from platoon leader to battalion and brigade staff positions.

Perkins commanded the 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment from 1996 to 1998. The battalion served in Macedonia, and took part in a United Nations mission to monitor Macedonia's borders with Albania, Kosovo, and Serbia. In 1999, Perkins received a master's degree from the Naval War College.

In 2003, Perkins commanded the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division during the invasion of Iraq. His unit was the first across the border, and first to enter the downtown government areas of Baghdad. Perkins is featured prominently in the book Thunder Run: The Armored Strike to Capture Baghdad, and received the Silver Star for his part in the invasion.

In 2004 and 2005, Perkins was executive assistant to the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. From 2005 to 2007, he commanded the Joint Multinational Training Command in Germany. From 2007 to 2008, Perkins was the G-3 (Plans, Operations and Training staff officer) for United States Army Europe and Seventh United States Army.

In 2008, Perkins became the director for strategic effects (CJ-9) for Multi-National Force-Iraq. In this capacity, he coordinated and implemented political, economic, and communications activities on behalf of MNF-I, and served as the organization's spokesman.[7] From 2009 to 2011, he commanded the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson. From 2011 to 2014, Perkins was commander of the Combined Arms Center and commandant of the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.[8][9]

On March 14, 2014, Perkins assumed command of United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) from Robert W. Cone.[10] On March 2, 2018, Perkins was succeeded at TRADOC by Stephen J. Townsend and he retired one week later.[11]

Awards and decorations

Combat Action Badge

Ranger tab

Basic Parachutist Badge

Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

4th Infantry Division Patch worn as his Combat Service Identification Badge

63rd Armor Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia

6 Overseas Service Bars

Army Distinguished Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters

Silver Star

Defense Superior Service Medal

Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster

Bronze Star Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster

Meritorious Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster

Army Commendation Medal

Army Achievement Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters

Army Presidential Unit Citation

Joint Meritorious Unit Award

Superior Unit Award

National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

Kosovo Campaign Medal

Iraq Campaign Medal

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Armed Forces Service Medal

Army Service Ribbon

Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 4

United Nations Medal

NATO Medal for Kosovo

Family

Perkins and his wife Ginger[12][13][14] are the parents of two children, Cassandra and Chad, both of whom are captains in the United States Army as of March 2018.[15][16]

References

1. Pierce, Meghan (March 7, 2018). "Four-Star Gen. Perkins Gary to retire at home in NH after 42 years; by 2020 shaped U.S. battle doctrine". manchester Union Leader. Manchester, NH.
2. West Point Association of Graduates, Register of Graduates and Former Cadets of the United States Military Academy, 1991, page 778
3. Fairport Herald-Mail, Severn Fairport Scouts Attain Eagle Designation, January 29, 1986
4. Fairport Herald-Mail, Parents Visit West Point, April 20, 1977
5. Melissa Bower, Ft. Leavenworth Lamp, CAC Welcomes New Commander, CSM, November 23, 2011
6. Sgt. Philip Klein, Fort Carson Mountaineer, Hood Bids 4th Inf. Div. Farewell, July 24, 1009, page 1
7. "4th Infantry Division". Carson.army.mil. Archived from the original on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
8. "General assumes command of Fort Leavenworth". kansascity.
9. "U.S. and the World – Commander of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center: Who Is Lt. Gen. David Perkins? – AllGov – News". AllGov.
10. "Perkins gets nod for TRADOC command; Cone to retire". Army Times.
11. "Townsend takes command of TRADOC". Tradoc News Center.
12. Coats, Julius (July 23, 2015). "Hampton Roads Host Honorary ROCK of the Year Luncheon". The Rocket. Forestville, MD: The ROCKS, Incorporated: 7. Accompanying General Perkins was his wife Ginger.
13. "Happy Holidays & New Year from TRADOC!". TRADOC News Center. Ft. Eustis, VA: United States Army Training and Doctrine Command. December 16, 2015. The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command’s leaders and their spouses, Gen. David Perkins, Ginger Perkins, Command Sgt. Maj. David Davenport and Claudia Davenport, wish you and your family the happiest of holidays and a very happy New Year!
14. Crumes, Shama (August 10, 2017). "TRADOC Hosts Commanders' Conference". TRADOC News Center. Ft. Eustis, VA. One session, the senior spouse panel, was led by the TRADOC commander’s wife, Ginger Perkins.
15. "Commander of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center: Who Is Lt. Gen. David Perkins?". AllGov.com. Washington, DC. August 4, 2012.
16. Pointer, Kathleen (November 22, 2011). "General assumes command of Fort Leavenworth". Kansas City Star.