Vincent R. Stewart

Vincent R. Stewart is a retired United States Marine Corps lieutenant general who served as the 20th director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). He was the first Marine Corps officer and first African-American to lead the DIA, a pivotal United States Intelligence Community member. His distinguished career included command of the Marine Forces Reserve, 2nd Marine Division, and the inaugural United States Marine Corps Forces Cyber Command.

Early life and education

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, he immigrated to the United States and was raised in LaSalle, Illinois. He graduated from LaSalle-Peru Township High School before attending Western Illinois University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in history and was commissioned as a second lieutenant through the Platoon Leaders Class program. He later earned a Master of Arts in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College and a Master of Science in national resource strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Military career

Commissioned in 1981, his early assignments included service with the 1st Marine Division and as a company commander at The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia. He served in various intelligence and operations billets, including with the II Marine Expeditionary Force and on the staff of the Commander, U.S. Pacific Command. He commanded the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines and later served as the G-2 (intelligence officer) for the I Marine Expeditionary Force during the initial phases of the Iraq War. Promoted to brigadier general, he served as the deputy director for intelligence at United States Central Command during the War in Afghanistan.

As a major general, he commanded the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and later served as the commander of Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North in New Orleans. Promoted to lieutenant general, he became the first commander of the newly established United States Marine Corps Forces Cyber Command in 2015. In 2015, he was confirmed by the United States Senate as the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, serving under both President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump. He retired from active duty in 2019 after 38 years of service.

Post-military career

Following his retirement, he joined the private sector, serving as the president of Stewart Global Solutions, a consulting firm. He is a senior advisor at The Cohen Group, a strategic advisory firm founded by former United States Secretary of Defense William Cohen. He also serves on the board of directors for Leidos, a major defense and intelligence contractor, and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Awards and decorations

His personal military decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (with two award stars), and the Bronze Star Medal. He is also authorized to wear the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Navy Unit Commendation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the National Defense Service Medal with service star. He is a recipient of the Director of National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal and has been honored by the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal.

Personal life

He is married and has children. He maintains a residence in Virginia and is actively involved in veteran support organizations. An advocate for leadership development, he frequently speaks on issues of national security, cyber warfare, and intelligence at institutions like the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Atlantic Council. Category:1958 births Category:Living people Category:United States Marine Corps lieutenant generals Category:American military personnel of the Iraq War Category:American military personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Category:Defense Intelligence Agency officials Category:Directors of the Defense Intelligence Agency Category:Western Illinois University alumni Category:United States Naval War College alumni Category:Industrial College of the Armed Forces alumni Category:American people of Jamaican descent