John W. Raymond

John W. Raymond is a retired general of the United States Space Force who served as its first Chief of Space Operations. He concurrently served as the inaugural commander of the reestablished United States Space Command, holding both historic roles from 2019 to 2022. Raymond's career, which began in the United States Air Force, was defined by leadership in space operations, culminating in his central role in establishing America's newest military service and a unified combatant command for the space domain.

Early life and education

John William Raymond was born in Alexandria, Virginia, and grew up in a military family, with his father having served in the United States Army. He attended Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, where he was a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps program. Raymond earned a Bachelor of Science degree in administrative management and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force in 1984. He later furthered his military education at Squadron Officer School, the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, and the National War College in Washington, D.C., where he received a Master of Science in national security strategy.

Military career

Raymond's early assignments included roles as a missile combat crew commander at F.E. Warren Air Force Base and as an instructor at Vandenberg Air Force Base. He held key staff positions at Headquarters United States Air Force in the Pentagon and served on the Joint Staff within the United States Department of Defense. His operational command portfolio grew to include the 21st Space Wing at Peterson Air Force Base, the 14th Air Force at Vandenberg Air Force Base, and the Joint Functional Component Command for Space. During the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War, he provided critical space support to combat operations. In 2016, he was promoted to general and assumed command of Air Force Space Command, overseeing the service's space and cyber forces.

Space Force leadership

On December 20, 2019, with the signing of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 by President Donald Trump, the United States Space Force was established as the sixth branch of the United States Armed Forces. Raymond was immediately sworn in as its first Chief of Space Operations, a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Simultaneously, he served as the first commander of the reestablished United States Space Command, a unified combatant command. In this dual role, he was instrumental in building the new service's structure, developing its rank system and uniforms, and establishing its core doctrine and training pipeline at institutions like the United States Air Force Academy and Space Training and Readiness Command. He relinquished command of United States Space Command to General James H. Dickinson in 2022 and retired from active service later that year.

Awards and decorations

Raymond's distinguished service has been recognized with numerous U.S. military decorations. His personal awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Defense Superior Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, and the Bronze Star Medal. He has also been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal. Internationally, he is a recipient of the French National Order of the Legion of Honour and the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun.

Personal life

Raymond is married and has two children. He is known to be an avid runner and fitness enthusiast. Following his retirement, he has engaged in advisory roles focused on space and national security policy. He has participated in discussions at think tanks like the Center for Strategic and International Studies and has been a vocal advocate for the importance of space domain awareness and responsible behavior in cislunar space.

Category:United States Space Force generals Category:United States Air Force generals Category:1962 births Category:Living people