The Honorable Eric Shinseki

Retired U.S. Army General Eric K. Shinseki was nominated by President Barack Obama on Dec. 7, 2008 to serve as Secretary for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. His nomination was confirmed by the Senate January 20, 2009, and he was sworn in as the seventh Secretary of Veterans Affairs on January 21, 2009. General Shinseki served as Chief of Staff, United States Army, from 1999 until June 11, 2003, and retired from active duty on August 1, 2003. During his tenure, he initiated the Army Transformation Campaign to address both the emerging strategic challenges of the early 21st century and the need for cultural and technological change in the United States Army.

Following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, he led the Army during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom and integrated the pursuit of the Global War on Terrorism with Army Transformation, enabling the Army to continue to transform while at war.

Prior to becoming the Army’s Chief of Staff, General Shinseki served as the Vice Chief of Staff from 1998 to 1999, after serving simultaneously as Commanding General, United States Army, Europe and Seventh Army; Commanding General, NATO Land Forces, Central Europe, both headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany; and Commander of the NATO-led Stabilization Force, Bosnia-Herzegovina, headquartered in Sarajevo. He was commissioned a second lieutenant of Artillery upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in June 1965, and was attached to Company A, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division as a forward observer from December 1965 to September 1966, when he was wounded in combat in the Republic of Vietnam. He was returned to Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, Hawaii to recuperate, following which he was assigned as Assistant Secretary, then Secretary to the General Staff, U.S. Army, Hawaii, Schofield Barracks, from 1967-1968. He transferred to Armor Branch and attended the Armor Officer Advanced Course at Fort Knox, Ky, before returning to Vietnam a second time in 1969. While serving as Commander, Troop A, 3d Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment, he was wounded in action a second time in 1970.

Shinseki holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; a Master of Arts degree from Duke University, and is a graduate of the National War College. General Shinseki has been awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Clusters), Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Purple Heart (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters), Air Medal, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge.