Marine tapped to lead Defense Intelligence Agency

2015-01-14T09:17:18-05:00

From: Marine Corps Times

The commanding officer of Marine Corps Cyber Command will move up to lead the Pentagon's foreign espionage arm, officials announced today.

Maj. Gen. Vincent Stewart will pin on a third star and assume command of the Defense Intelligence Agency Jan. 23, said Army Col. Steven Warren, a Defense Department spokesman.

Stewart has long been rumored as the choice to succeed Army Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn, who left DIA in August and went on to retire. The agency has since been led by acting director David Shedd. Stewart's nomination to lieutenant general was approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee Dec. 10, setting in motion the events leading to his move to the new position.

Stewart will be the first African-American and the first Marine to lead the DIA.

According to his official military biography, Stewart entered the Marine Corps in 1981. His previous positions include senior intelligence planner for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and director of Intelligence for Marine Corps Headquarters.

"A distinguished intelligence professional and dedicated warfighter, Major General Stewart brings a wealth of talent and leadership to the Defense Intelligence Agency and the nation's intelligence community across the agencies and organizations," Warren said, according to a DoD news release.

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2015/01/13/marine-two-star-will-lead-dia/21697987/

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jan 14 at 2015 2:49 PM

2015-01-14T14:49:03-05:00

A few points:
1. This is the first Marine to lead the DIA
2. One of the 5 (to my recollection) Marine Intelligence Generals to be promoted to Lieutenant General (odd that the file photo above is as a Brigadier-he's been a Major General for a while)
3. He once tried to surprise me in Afghanistan, pulling me aside from a speech by the CMC to ask me about the enemy situation in the area, I was prepared for the question and for him and greeted him by name (he wasn't wearing name-tapes). He asked how I knew who he was. I asked if he would expect anything else from the 2. What I should have said (I plead young and dumb) was that I had an on-point Intel-Chief, one Sergeant Gault.
4. Here's his BIO: https://www.afcea-qp.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Stewart-Bio.pdf

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jan 14 at 2015 3:43 PM

2015-01-14T15:43:40-05:00

Semper Fi and Godspeed. Good luck, Marine!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2015 3:49 PM

2015-01-14T15:49:24-05:00

Maybe a little bias but you can't go wrong with a Marine at the helm! Outstanding Marine! Semper Fi!

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Jan 14 at 2015 4:38 PM

2015-01-14T16:38:17-05:00

Big job in trying times. I hope that he takes the hard charging attitude it took to get to where he is and carries on with it!

That would be a no-fooling hard position right about now!

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Jan 28 at 2015 5:57 PM

2015-01-28T17:57:13-05:00

OUTSTANDING and about time!! Maybe he'll bring some sense to that place.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jan 28 at 2015 6:03 PM

2015-01-28T18:03:42-05:00

Looks like a great pick...He has a lot of great experience and commands under his belt. He is a combat arms Marine as well. He will do well I am sure.

Response by MSgt Arthur Stewart made Feb 22 at 2018 7:18 PM

2018-02-22T19:18:40-05:00

Wakandanotion!