FORT BRAGG, N.C. (July 11, 2012) - The Department of the Army's Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Lt. Gen. Raymond V. Mason, hosted the promotion of Brig. Gen. John ("Jack") R. O'Connor to the rank of major general at a ceremony held at Marshall Hall, the joint headquarters building for U.S. Army Forces Command and U.S. Army Reserve Command.
As the FORSCOM deputy chief of staff for logistics, O'Connor ensures that fully equipped, logistically sustainable, and ready forces are available to meet the requirements of combatant commanders across the spectrum of current and future operations.
"What makes Jack O'Connor so successful?" asked Mason, after relating many of O'Connor's career accomplishments and times they had served together.
"I think it's as simple as this. He makes great things happen. He approaches every assignment, every mission, with enthusiasm and innovative thinking. He attacks every task with a sense of urgency in a first-class manner without a lot of fanfare.
"He clearly stands out among the best of the best for being smart, tough and balanced; and he knows logistics from the tactical level to the strategic," Mason continued. "He's a natural leader who earns respect through a calm, professional style. And if you work for him, you're challenged to achieve superb results every time. And he's made a huge difference for our Army. And we're a much better place for his being in our ranks."
Lt. Gen. Mason and O'Connor's wife, Andree, pinned the two-star insignia of a major general on O'Connor, after which the O'Connor's two children, Ryan and Meryl, placed major general epaulets on their father's shirt.
"Many of you have heard me say I believe life is a series of unexplainable events connected by people, change, and opportunity," Maj. Gen. O'Connor told those attending the ceremony.
"I cannot but feel humble by today's events, yet I'm looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that will come from this promotion. As in the past, it was the Soldier; it was the non-commissioned officer; it was the officer; it was the civilian who made me what I am today: a father, a leader, a husband and friend to our Army."
Maj. Gen. O'Connor is a native of Toledo, Ohio. He was commissioned through ROTC in the Transportation Corps at Fort Bragg in 1984. He holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Miami and master degrees in both Logistics Management from Florida Institute of Technology and Strategic Studies from the Army War College.
His military education includes the Transportation Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Logistics Executive Development Course, Command and General Staff College, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the Army War College.
In addition to four previous tours of duty at Fort Bragg, O'Connor has served in a variety of multifunctional logistics assignments, including aide-de-camp to the commanding general of 3rd Corps Support Command, V Corps, Wiesbaden, Germany; operations officer for the 7th Transportation Battalion during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm; Joint Logistics plans officer with United States Pacific Command; commander, 402nd Army Field Support Brigade, Army Sustainment Command (Operation Iraqi Freedom); commanding general, Army Materiel Command-Southwest Asia/ Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, U.S. Army Central (Kuwait); and director of Operations and Logistics Readiness for the Department of the Army deputy chief of staff for Logistics.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters, the Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with six oak leaf clusters, and the Joint Service Achievement Medal.
Social Sharing