REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Although the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command's former chief of staff will not officially retire until Aug. 6, the new chief is in town and on the job.
Col. Daniel J. Shanahan, incoming chief of staff, began duties at the command July 19, the date retiring Chief of Staff Col. Kendal Cunningham went on terminal leave.
"It is great to be here as your chief of staff," Shanahan said. "I am impressed with the professionalism of our USASMDC/ARSTRAT team. I am familiar with the products and services the command provides to the Warfighter, and now I can see the dedicated Soldiers, civilians and contractors who help make it happen for our forces across the globe."
Shanahan comes to the command from the Center for Army Leadership, where he has served as director since April 2009. His previous duty stations include: Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Polk, La.; Fort McPherson, Ga.; Fort Lewis, Wash.; Fort Chaffee, Ark.; Fort Drum, N.Y.; the Pentagon; Germany; and Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina. He has deployed to Iraq twice and supported efforts in Louisiana and Texas following Hurricane Katrina.
"I bring a Warfighter view to the command," he said. "My style is to bring out the very best in the talented professionals we have on our team. I challenge our personnel to 'give their all' to provide our joint forces and coalition partners the capability to better accomplish the mission every day in every corner of the world."
Shanahan graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in May 1982. His training has included: Armor Basic Course, Aviation Advanced Course, and the Army Command and General Staff School. He earned a master's degree in public administration from Central Michigan University and a master's degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Spanning his military career, Shanahan has earned: the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star medals, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Master Aviator Badge and the Parachutist Badge.
Carrie.E.David@us.army.mil
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