On 3 May 2013 the NATO Defense College (NDC) was honoured to receive the visit of Gen Raymond T. Odierno, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, along with his Political Advisor Ambassador Tatiana Gfoeller.
Lt Gen Arne Bård Dalhaug (NOR A), NDC Commandant, warmly welcomed Gen. Odierno to the College.
The aim of the visit was for Gen Odierno and his staff to have an overview of the mission and related activities of the NDC, and more specifically to engage with the ninth NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC 9). On this occasion, Gen Odierno gave an extremely interesting lecture on “The importance of regional and multinational approaches to addressing strategic uncertainty”.
Gen Odierno was escorted to the Maynard-Thorn Auditorium and introduced to the ninth NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC 9). He provided an authoritative and exhaustive lecture, after which Course Members had the opportunity to enjoy a stimulating discussion with him during the Question and Answer session.
Gen Odierno assumed duty as the 38th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army on 7 September 2011. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. He has commanded units at every echelon, from platoon to theatre, with duty stations in Germany, Albania, Kuwait, Iraq and the United States. After his first assignment with U.S. Army Europe, General Odierno was assigned to the XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery at Fort Bragg, N.C., where he commanded two batteries and served as a battalion operations officer and battalion executive officer including during the deployment for Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM. 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 Commanding General, Multi-National Corps-Iraq (III Corps), as the operational commander of the “surge” of forces. He then 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.
Other significant assignments include: Arms Control Officer, Office of the Secretary of Defense; Chief of Staff, V Corps; Assistant Division Commander (Support), 1st Armored Division; Deputy Commanding General, Task Force Hawk, Albania; Director of Force Management, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans; and Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in which capacity he was the primary military advisor to Secretaries of State Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice. General Odierno holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from West Point and a Master’s degree in Nuclear Effects Engineering from North Carolina State University. He is a graduate of the Army War College and holds a Master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.
General Odierno’s awards and decorations include four Defense Distinguished Service Medals, two Army Distinguished Service Medals, the Defense Superior Service Medal, six Legions of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Francesca Blasi, ITA C)
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN 
