Raymond T. Odierno

Raymond T. Odierno
Name	Raymond T. Odierno
Birth date	March 8, 1954
Birth place	Rockville Centre, New York
Death date	October 8, 2021
Death place	New Jersey
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Army
Rank	General
Service years	1976–2017
Battles	Gulf War, Iraq War, Operation Enduring Freedom

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Raymond T. Odierno was a four-star United States Army general who served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army and commanded forces during major operations in Iraq War and post-hostilities Iraq. He rose through ranks after graduating from the United States Military Academy and led large formations including the 1st Infantry Division and Multi-National Corps – Iraq. Odierno's tenure intersected with leaders such as George W. Bush, Barack Obama, David Petraeus, Martin Dempsey, and institutions like the Department of Defense, the Pentagon, and the United States Congress.

Early life and education

Born in Rockville Centre, New York, Odierno attended Central Islip Senior High School before receiving an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. At West Point he studied alongside classmates who later joined commands in the United States Army, and he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. He later completed graduate studies at the Naval War College and attended the United States Army Command and General Staff College and U.S. Army War College, linking him professionally with curricula from National Defense University, Joint Forces Staff College, and the Brookings Institution through seminars and fellowships.

Odierno was commissioned into the United States Army and served in armor and mechanized units including assignments with the 1st Armored Division, 3rd Infantry Division and 2nd Infantry Division. He commanded at company, battalion, and brigade levels, including command of the 4th Infantry Division's subordinate units and the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division during deployments connected to the Gulf War and the Iraq War. Staff assignments placed him on the Joint Staff and with FORSCOM, coordinating operations with commands such as U.S. Central Command, U.S. European Command, and U.S. Transportation Command. He worked with senior officers including Eric Shinseki, John Shalikashvili, Colin Powell, Gordon Sullivan, and Creighton Abrams-era traditions through mentorship networks.

Odierno served as the commander of Multi-National Force – Iraq and later as Commanding General of United States Forces – Iraq and Multi-National Corps – Iraq, overseeing major operations in cities such as Baghdad, Mosul, Fallujah, and Basra. He coordinated counterinsurgency strategies influenced by concepts from commanders like David Petraeus and advisers from think tanks including RAND Corporation and Center for Strategic and International Studies. His leadership involved interaction with political figures such as Nouri al-Maliki, Ayad Allawi, Haider al-Abadi, and international partners from the United Kingdom, Australia, Poland, and South Korea. As Chief of Staff of the United States Army he succeeded George W. Casey Jr. and served under Chairman Martin Dempsey and Secretaries of Defense including Leon Panetta and Ashton Carter while managing initiatives related to force structure, modernization programs tied to the F-35 Lightning II industrial base and Army Futures Command precursors, and readiness debates in hearings before the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives.

Throughout his career Odierno received numerous decorations from the United States and allied nations, including high-level awards tied to service in Iraq and Kuwait. His honors reflected operational leadership recognized by institutions such as the Department of the Army, the Defense Department, and allied militaries from United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Australia. He was acknowledged by veteran organizations including the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, and received ceremonial awards at institutions like the United States Military Academy and the National Infantry Museum.

After retiring from active duty in 2017, Odierno engaged with private sector organizations, defense contractors, and academic forums including events at the Council on Foreign Relations, Brookings Institution, and Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. He joined advisory boards that interacted with companies in the defense industry and worked with veteran advocacy groups alongside leaders from Team Rubicon, Wounded Warrior Project, and Veterans Affairs stakeholders. His death in 2021 followed a battle with cancer and prompted statements from officials including Joe Biden, Donald Trump, and Army leadership such as Mark A. Milley and Ryan D. McCarthy. Historians and analysts from West Point History Department, Military Review, and the Center for a New American Security assess his impact on counterinsurgency, force transformation, and civil-military relations in post-9/11 conflicts.