General John Craddock

General John Craddock graduated from West Virginia University and was commissioned as an Armour Officer. A tour of duty with the 3rd Armoured Division in Germany was followed by a tour at Fort Knox Kentucky with the US Army Armour and Engineer Board. Completion of the Armour Officer Advanced Course saw his return to 3rd Armoured Division as a tank company commander.

In 1981, Craddock was reassigned to the Office of the Programme Manager, Abrams Tank System first as a systems analyst, later as executive officer. Graduation from the Command and General Staff College preceded a return to Germany, this time with the 8th Infantry Division (Mechanised).

In 1989, Craddock assumed command of the 4th Btn 64th Armour 24th Infantry Division (Mechanised) at Fort Stewart, Georgia. It was during this posting that he deployed to Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. After a period as Assistant Chief of Staff (Operations) for the 24th Division, General Craddock attended the U.S. Army War College, assuming command of the 194th Separate Armoured Brigade upon his graduation, before becoming Assistant Chief of Staff (Operations) for III Corps at Fort Hood, Texas.

1996 saw Craddock move to the Joint Staff at the Pentagon as Assistant Deputy Director (Plans and Policy), J5. Two years later he moved back to Germany as the Assistant Divisional Commander for Manoeuvre of 1st Infantry Division (Mechanised). It was during this time that he was designated Commander U.S. forces for the initial phase of operations in Kosovo. He went on to be the Commanding General of the 7th Army Training Command, U.S. Army Europe, then assumed command of 1st Infantry Division (Mechanised). A tour as the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defence preceded the post of Combatant Commander U.S. Southern Command. General Craddock led the U.S. Southern Command from 2004 until 2006.

General Craddock holds a Masters degree in Military Arts and Sciences. General Craddock and his wife Linda have two children, Zachary and Amanda, daughter-in-law Rania, and two granddaughters, Addy and Lizzie.