Combined Arms Command at Fort Leavenworth welcomes new commanding general

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas — Lt. Gen. James P. Isenhower III assumed command of the Combined Arms Command during a ceremony Nov. 18, 2025, at the Lewis and Clark Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

In September, Lt. Gen. Milford H. Beagle Jr. relinquished command of CAC, known then as the Combined Arms Center, and followed that ceremony with his retirement from the Army.

Assumption ceremony host Gen. David M. Hodne, commanding general of the newly established Transformation and Training Command, expressed his gratitude for those who have been helping fill the gap between CAC commanders and spoke of the “extraordinary legacy” of CAC.

“Since its establishment, CAC has been central to the Army's development. They've done this through powerful sources of overmatch, our doctrine and our leader development,” Hodne said. “It's a storied institution that both predates and remains beyond (Training and Doctrine Command). That is not meant as a slight to TRADOC, but rather speaks to the core, enduring functions of the Combined Arms Command, who prepares the Army and its leaders for the challenges of today and tomorrow.”

Hodne said commanding CAC is unique in scope and impact.

“CAC synchronizes doctrinal and educational requirements across nine Centers of Excellence, 20 branch schools, seven non-branch specific schools, trains over 300,000 students annually, including nearly 5,000 international students from 130 nations, as well as more than 10,000 members of the joint force annually,” Hodne said. “But we're also living in a time of unprecedented change. The pace of technological advancements, the evolving character of war and the dynamic security environment demand that our Army transform.”

Hodne said CAC is changing to meet those demands, in part noted by the name change from “center” to “command.”

“This isn't just a rebrand,” Hodne said. “CAC's scope of responsibility will increase and now must wrestle with tough, adaptive problems, including rapidly developing, nimble doctrine, modernizing professional military education and keeping pace with that rapid evolution of technology I mentioned and the associated evolution of warfare in real time.”

Hodne said the changes will complicate some aspects, but new authorities will enable accelerated transformation. He said CAC will be a connector between U.S. Army Recruiting Command and Futures in Concepts Command, integrate lessons from combat training centers, manage operational feedback to inform concepts and materiel development at the Centers of Excellence, and more.

“You'll tighten the loop between education, training and warfighting. These core functions will also ensure our Army remains agile and adaptive to fight the adversaries we encounter.”

Hodne lauded Isenhower as a proven combat leader capable of leading through change, noting his experience commanding the 1st Armored Division in addition to his most recent assignment as the assistant deputy chief of staff, G357, at Headquarters, Department of the Army during the Army Transformation Initiative rollout.

“This appointment reflects our Army's confidence in Jim to drive the necessary transformation, both within CAC and across the broader U.S. Army,” he said.

Hodne said the appointment of Isenhower as CAC’s commanding general was significant for the entire Army.

“I routinely tell brigade and battalion commanders, many of whom come through (Fort Leavenworth) as part of their Pre-Command Course journey, that there's no more exciting time to serve. We live in a seminal moment in history and a seminal moment in warfare, where we see how technology punishes unskilled formations more than ever. Our Army must keep pace with the dynamic evolution of technology in responding for the corresponding change in character of war,” Hodne said. “Jim, your teammates and fellow plank holders in the U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command, and all the formations and soldiers we serve and support, are fortunate to have you, Sherrill, and the Isenhower family in our Army. We're all fortunate to have you lead in our senior ranks, and thanks for all you continue to do for the Army in this world.”

Hodne recognized Isenhower’s family, notably Sherrill Isenhower and her support during her husband’s military career. Isenhower noted in his remarks that they made this, their 19th permanent-change-of-station move, on their 30th anniversary.

“Behind every successful leader is a family that shares in the sacrifices and triumphs associated with military life, and we all ask a lot of our spouses in the military, and as Jim has surely done of Sherrill. To Sherrill, your unwavering support and resilience over the last 30 years-plus has been a cornerstone of Jim's success. Your dedication to volunteering while also raising three remarkable sons is truly inspiring, and thanks for all you do to support Jim and all of our Army families.”

Isenhower began his remarks by thanking Department of the Army civilians and asked uniformed service members to applaud them for sticking with them during the government shutdown. He also recognized Command and General Staff College’s Human Protections Director Dr. Michelle Miller, who was his small group leader when he was a CGSC student, joking that she could now ask other small group leaders what they have done to coach and train the next CAC commanding general. Only partially said in jest, he said the truth is that a future division commander is currently in a career course, that a future sergeant major of the Army is at the Sergeant's Major Academy, and a future chief of staff of the Army was probably discussing doctrine and orders in the Lewis and Clark Center earlier that day.

“At CAC, our responsibility is as profound as our opportunity,” Isenhower said. “Nearly 200 years ago, Fort Leavenworth was at the frontier of both a nation and an army. Today, Fort Leavenworth and the Combined Arms Command play the same role — out front, driving the Army at the frontier of modern warfare. Our obligation is as vital today as it was in the 1800s. Together, we'll develop the force, its leaders, and its doctrine to keep us the most lethal army on the globe.”

Isenhower said he and Sherrill value any opportunity to care for soldiers, DA civilians and their families. He addressed the audience and CAC, emphasizing how much the Army needs each of them.

“Today's world is remarkably dangerous. Our nation needs its Army at its best, stewards of the profession, fully prepared to fight and destroy any enemy foolish enough to challenge us or our country,” he said. “Together, let's drive the Army's transformation, drive change from vision to victory. This we’ll defend.”