The Defense Department yesterday announced the selection of Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno for appointment to the rank of general and assignment as the next Army vice chief of staff, replacing Gen. Richard Cody.
Odierno is currently serving as commanding general, III Corps/commander, Multi-National Corps-Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Cody will remain the Army vice chief of staff through mid- to late-summer and then retire.
“I congratulated Gen. Odierno on his selection,” Cody said. “I’m not sure there’s a better job in the U.S. Army. When you sit in this seat, you can get things done for soldiers. Our soldiers deserve nothing less from their leadership, and I will be working 24-7 for them, our civilians and their families until the day I leave.”