John Ember "Jack" Sterling Jr. (born December 26, 1953) is a retired United States Army lieutenant general.[1] He served as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff for United States Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) from 2010 to 2012, and was acting commander in 2011. He retired in June 2012.
Military career
Sterling graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1976 and received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Engineer branch. He served in engineer assignments from platoon leader to brigade commander, primarily in the 1st Armored Division, the 5th Infantry Division, and the 3rd Infantry Division.
Other assignments included service as a project officer for Corps of Engineers Baltimore District, working on the Alternate National Military Command and Control Center; Chief of Plans in the G-3 (Operations section), V Corps, in Frankfurt, Germany; and Deputy Chief of the War Plans Division in the Strategy, Plans and Policy Directorate of the Army G-3.[2]
From 2001 to 2003 Sterling served as the Chief of Staff of the 3rd Infantry Division, including the start of combat for Operation Iraqi Freedom.[3] From 2005 to 2006 he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, United States Army Europe and Commander of the 18th Theater Army Engineer Brigade, during which he was reassigned as Deputy Commanding General, Combined Joint Task Force-76 for Operation Enduring Freedom.[4] From 2006 to 2007 Sterling was Assistant Commandant of the United States Army Engineer School at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.[5][6]
Before his assignment as TRADOC's Deputy Commander, Sterling was Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, (U-3/C-3/J-3) in South Korea, which included providing operational direction for the United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea, and Republic of Korea on the Korean Peninsula.[7][8] Sterling retired in June 2012.[9]
Military and civilian education
In addition to his Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy, Sterling holds a master's degree in Civil engineering from the University of Illinois. Sterling is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College, the School of Advanced Military Studies (Master in Military Arts and Sciences), and the National War College (Master in National Security Studies).
Sterling is a Registered Professional Engineer in the state of Virginia.
Awards and decorations
Sterling's awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (4), Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2), Army Commendation Medal (2), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge, and Army Staff Badge.[10]
References
- ^ Association of Graduates U.S.M.A.; United States Military Academy. West Point Alumni Foundation (1984). Register of Graduates and Former Cadets, United States Military Academy. Retrieved 2015-02-04.
- ^ News article, Sterling Joins TRADOC as New Deputy Commanding General/Chief of Staff, by TRADOC News Service, May 7, 2010.
- ^ Fiasco: the American military adventure in Iraq, by Thomas E. Ricks, 2007, Chapter 8.
- ^ Press release, Senior Officer Assignments, by U.S. Army Public Affairs, published in Army Times, May 12, 2003.
- ^ Magazine column, Lead the Way, by Clinton J. Pearson, Engineer: The Professional Bulletin for Army Engineers, July–September, 2006.
- ^ News Release General Officer Announcements Archived 2011-05-30 at the Wayback Machine, by Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs), October 16, 2007.
- ^ Remarks at Farewell Ceremony for MG Jack Sterling[permanent dead link], General Walter L. Sharp, Knight Field, Yongsan Garrison, Seoul, Republic of Korea, March 30, 2010.
- ^ News article, Ceremony Held to Recognize Departing Army General, by Private First Class Kim Kyu-ho, 8th U.S. Army Public Affairs, March 31, 2010.
- ^ Amy L. Robinson, TRADOC Welcomes New Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Public Affairs, June 5, 2012.
- ^ Marshall Army ROTC, John E. Sterling speaking at 2011 Army Cadet Command, review of awards on uniform, 2012.