H. R. McMaster

H. R. McMaster. Herbert Raymond "H. R." McMaster is a retired United States Army lieutenant general and former National Security Advisor. He is renowned for his scholarship on military history and strategy, his command during the Battle of 73 Easting in the Gulf War, and his influential critiques of U.S. policy during the Vietnam War. McMaster served as the 26th National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2018, following a distinguished 34-year military career.

Early life and education

Born in Philadelphia, he grew up in a military family, with his father having served in the United States Army during World War II. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as an armor officer. He later earned a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy in American history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His doctoral dissertation formed the basis for his acclaimed book, Dereliction of Duty, a critical analysis of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Vietnam War.

Military career

His early assignments included posts in West Germany with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment during the Cold War. He gained national recognition as a captain during the Gulf War, where he commanded E Troop, 2nd Cavalry Regiment in the decisive Battle of 73 Easting, destroying numerous Iraqi Republican Guard vehicles. For his leadership, he was awarded the Silver Star. He later commanded the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment in Fort Riley, Kansas. During the Iraq War, he served as a special assistant to the commander of Multi-National Force – Iraq, General David Petraeus, and later commanded the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Tal Afar, implementing innovative counterinsurgency tactics. His final military assignment was as director of the Army Capabilities Integration Center at United States Army Training and Doctrine Command.

National Security Advisor

In February 2017, President Donald Trump appointed him as his second National Security Advisor, succeeding Michael T. Flynn. His tenure was marked by efforts to institutionalize policy processes within the National Security Council and advocate for a robust internationalist posture, often placing him at odds with other administration figures. Key policy developments during his tenure included the formulation of the administration's Iran strategy, the launch of the 2017 Shayrat missile strike in response to chemical weapons use in Syria, and the development of the 2017 National Security Strategy. He resigned from the position in April 2018 and was succeeded by John R. Bolton.

Post-government career and writings

Following his government service, he joined the Hoover Institution at Stanford University as a senior fellow. He also serves as the chair of the advisory board for the Global Forum on Russia and is a founding board member of the Institute for the Study of War. He has authored numerous articles and a second major book, Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World, which critiques the foreign policy of the Trump administration and advocates for a renewed commitment to democratic alliances. He frequently contributes commentary to media outlets like the Wall Street Journal and Fox News.

Personal life

He married Kathleen Trotter in 1997; she is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and former Army officer. The couple has three children. An avid student of military history, his personal and professional library is reported to contain thousands of volumes. He is a recipient of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and has been awarded honorary degrees from institutions including Williams College.

Category:1962 births Category:Living people Category:United States Army lieutenant generals Category:United States National Security Advisors Category:American military historians Category:Recipients of the Silver Star