Martin Dempsey
Birth name	Martin E. Dempsey
Born	(1952-03-14) March 14, 1952 (age 60) Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S.
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1974–present
Rank	General
Commands held	Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Chief of Staff U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment 1st Armored Division
Battles/wars	Gulf War Iraq War
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2) Army Distinguished Service Medal (4) Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star (2) with Valor

General Martin E. Dempsey, USA (born March 14, 1952) is the 18th and current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He previously served 149 days as the 37th Chief of Staff of the Army from April 11, 2011, to September 7, 2011. Prior to that, he served as Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, from December 8, 2008, to April 11, 2011, as Acting Commander, U.S. Central Command, from March 24, 2008, to October 30, 2008, as Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command, from August 2007 to March 23, 2008, and as Commanding General, Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq (MNSTC-I), from August 2005 to August 2007. As Chairman, Dempsey is the highest ranking officer in the United States Armed Forces. He assumed his current assignment on October 1, 2011.^[1]

Biography[link]

Dempsey attended John S. Burke Catholic High School in Goshen, New York, and received a commission as an Armor officer upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1974. As a company-grade officer, he served in 1st Squadron, 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment as the S-1 OIC. He went on to be the Executive Officer of the 3rd Brigade 3rd Armored Division during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. He then commanded the 4th Battalion of the 67th Armored Regiment "Bandits" from 1992–1995 in the 1st Armored Division in Friedberg, Hesse, Germany.^[2]

In June 2003, then Brigadier General Dempsey assumed command of 1st Armored Division. He succeeded Ricardo S. Sanchez who was promoted to command V Corps. Dempsey's command of the 1st Armored Division lasted until July 2005 and included 13 months in Iraq, from June 2003 to July 2004. While in Iraq, 1st Armored Division, in addition to its own brigades, had operational command over the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment and a brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division; the command, called "Task Force Iron" in recognition of the Division's nickname, "Old Ironsides", was the largest division-level command in the history of the United States Army.^[3]

It was during this time that the U.S. intervention in Iraq changed dramatically as Fallujah fell to Sunni extremists and supporters of Muqtada Sadr built their strength and rose up against American forces. Then Major General Dempsey and his command assumed responsibility for the Area of Operations in Baghdad as the insurgency incubated, grew, and exploded. General Dempsey has been described by Thomas Ricks in his book "Fiasco": "In the capital itself, the 1st Armored Division, after Sanchez assumed control of V Corps, was led by Gen. Martin Dempsey, was generally seen as handling a difficult (and inherited) job well, under the global spotlight of Baghdad."

On March 27, 2007, Dempsey was promoted from commander of Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, to be reappointed as a lieutenant general and assigned as deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

On February 5, 2008, Dempsey was nominated to head the Seventh United States Army/U.S. Army, Europe, and was nominated for promotion to four-star general upon Senate approval.

On March 11, 2008, Dempsey's commander, Admiral William J. Fallon, retired from active service. U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates accepted this as effective on March 31. Dempsey took over command as acting commander CENTCOM.

On March 13, 2008, Dempsey was confirmed by the United States Senate as Commander, Seventh United States Army/U.S. Army, Europe.^[4]

On December 8, 2008, Dempsey took command of United States Army Training and Doctrine Command.^[5]

On January 6, 2011, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that he would nominate General Dempsey to succeed General George Casey as the Army Chief of Staff.^[6]

On February 8, 2011, Gates announced that President Barack Obama nominated Dempsey to be the 37th Chief of Staff of the United States Army.^[7]

On March 3, 2011, Dempsey testified before the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services for reappointment to the grade of general and to be the 37th Chief of Staff of the United States Army.^[8]

On March 15, 2011, the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services affirmatively reported Dempsey's nomination to serve as the 37th Chief of Staff of the United States Army to the floor of the Senate.^[9] On March 16, 2011, the Senate confirmed Dempsey's nomination by unanimous consent.^[10]

On April 11, 2011, Dempsey was officially sworn in as 37th Chief of Staff of the United States Army at a ceremony at Fort Myer.

With Admiral Mike Mullen set to retire as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in September 2011, President Obama needed to select his replacement. The Vice-Chairman, Marine General James Cartwright, who was initially believed to be the front runner for the job, had fallen out of favor among senior officials in the Defense Department. Obama administration officials revealed on May 26, 2011, that the President would nominate Dempsey to the post of Chairman.^[11] In August 2011 General Dempsey was confirmed by unanimous consent to succeed Admiral Mike Mullen as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

He was officially sworn in as 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on October 1, 2011, succeeding Admiral Michael Mullen.

Education[link]

• 1974 Bachelor of Science degree, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY
• 1984 Master of Arts degree in English, Duke University, Durham, NC
• 1988 Master of Military Art and Science degree, United States Army Command and General Staff College
• 1995 Master of Science degree in national security and strategic studies, National War College

Dates of rank[link]

United States Military Academy Cadet - Class of 1974

Rank	Date
10px Second Lieutenant	5 Jun 1974
First Lieutenant	5 Jun 1976
Captain	8 Aug 1978
Major	1 Sep 1985
Lieutenant Colonel	1 Apr 1991
Colonel	1 Sep 1995
Brigadier General	1 Aug 2001
Major General	1 Sep 2004
Lieutenant General	8 Sep 2005
General	8 Dec 2008

Awards, decorations, and badges[link]

U.S. military decorations Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster) Army Distinguished Service Medal (with 3 oak leaf clusters) Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (with 2 oak leaf clusters) Bronze Star (with Valor device & oak leaf cluster) Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 oak leaf clusters) Joint Service Commendation Medal Army Commendation Medal Army Achievement Medal (with oak leaf cluster) U.S. Unit Awards Joint Meritorious Unit Award (with oak leaf cluster) Valorous Unit Award (with oak leaf cluster) Army Superior Unit Award (with oak leaf cluster) U.S. Service (Campaign) Medals and Service and Training Ribbons National Defense Service Medal (with 2 service stars) Southwest Asia Service Medal (with 3 service stars) Iraq Campaign Medal Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Army Service Ribbon 60px Army Overseas Service Ribbon (with award numeral "4") Foreign awards NATO Medal for service with ISAF Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

Other accoutrements Combat Action Badge Basic Parachutist Badge Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge Army Staff Identification Badge 1st Armored Division Combat Service Identification Badge 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia 7 Overseas Service Bars (reflecting 3½ years of overseas service in combat zones)

On December 7, 2011, General Dempsey received the USO's Distinguished Service Award on behalf of all military members.^[12]

Publications[link]

1. Win, Learn, Focus, Adapt, Win Again – Article series for Army Magazine (AUSA). Oct. 2010 - Feb. 2011

Interviews[link]

1. Dempsey Muses on Challenges as New Head of Joint Chiefs – Thom Shanker. New York Times. Oct. 3, 2011.
2. The New Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on "Getting to the Truth" – Karl Moore. Forbes Magazine. Oct. 20, 2011.
3. Gen. Martin Dempsey's Interview with Jeremy Paxman – Jeremy Paxman, BBC. Nov. 28, 2011.
4. Transcript: Gen. Martin Dempsey's Interview with Fareed Zakaria – Fareed Zakaria. CNN. Feb. 19, 2012.
5. Video: Gen. Martin Dempsey's Interview with Charlie Rose – Charlie Rose. Mar. 16, 2012.

Speeches[link]

1. Gen. Dempsey Becomes the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – Sept. 30, 2011
2. The Atlantic Council of the United States: Security and Partnership in an Age of Austerity – Dec. 9, 2011.
3. End of Mission Ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq – Dec. 15, 2011.
4. Duke University's Ambassador S. Davis Phillips Family International Lecture Series: A New Vision for the US Military – Jan. 12, 2012.
5. West Point Class of 2013 500th Night – Jan. 21, 2012.
6. Harvard University's John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum: Security Paradox – Apr. 12, 2012.
7. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: A Conversation with General Martin Dempsey – May 1, 2012.

References[link]

1. ^ By law, 10 USC 152, Dempsey assumed office on October 1.
2. ^ Baron, Kevin, "Gen. Martin Dempsey: The Quiet American", National Journal, February 11, 2012.
3. ^ "Iron Soldiers: Mission complete". 1st Armored Division Public Affairs. 1st Armored Division Public Affairs. http://www.nationalcenter.org/LeavingIraq7-8-04.pdf. Retrieved July 2004. 
4. ^ http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/one_item_and_teasers/noms_confn.htm
5. ^ Tice, Jim (December 8, 2008). "Dempsey takes command of TRADOC". Army Times. http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/12/army_command_change_120808w/. Retrieved December 9, 2008. 
6. ^ Bacon, Lance (January 6, 2011). "TRADOC head is pick to become chief of staff". Army Times. http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/01/army-general-martin-dempsey-is-chief-of-staff-pick-010611w/. Retrieved January 6, 2011. 
7. ^ "General Officer Announcements". Department of Defense. http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=14255. Retrieved February 8, 2011. 
8. ^ "Hearing Schedule". U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee. http://armed-services.senate.gov/e_witnesslist.cfm?id=5014. Retrieved March 3, 2011. 
9. ^ Brannen, Kate. -next-army-chief-031511/ "Sen. committee confirms Dempsey as Army chief". Sen. committee confirms Dempsey as Army chief. Army Times. http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/03/defense-dempsey-confirmed-as -next-army-chief-031511/. Retrieved March 16, 2011. 
10. ^ Senate Congressional Record for March 16, 2011
11. ^ Starr, Barbara. "Obama to choose Army head as next Joint Chiefs chairman, officials say". CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/05/26/joint.chiefs.chairman/index.html?hpt=T2. Retrieved May 26, 2011. 
12. ^ Miles, Donna. "Dempsey Accepts USO Award on Behalf of Military Members". http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=66388. Armed Forces Press Service. http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=66388. Retrieved 17 January 2012. 

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Martin E. Dempsey

• Military Biography
• Chairman's Corner
• GEN Martin E. Dempsey on Facebook
• GEN Martin Dempsey on Twitter
• Gen. Martin Dempsey at WhoRunsGov at The Washington Post
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Martin Dempsey at the Internet Movie Database
• Works by or about Martin Dempsey in libraries (WorldCat catalog)

v t e Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Bradley Radford Twining Lemnitzer Taylor Wheeler Moorer Brown Jones Vessey Crowe Powell Jeremiah (acting) Shalikashvili Shelton Myers Pace Mullen Dempsey

v t e Senior Officials in the United States Department of Defense Secretary of Defense: Leon Panetta Deputy Secretary of Defense: Dr. Ashton Carter Secretaries of the Military Departments: Secretary of the Army: John McHugh • Secretary of the Navy: Ray Mabus • Secretary of the Air Force: Michael Donley Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: General Martin Dempsey, USA Under Secretaries of Defense for: Acquisition, Technology and Logistics: Frank Kendall III (Acting) • Policy: Dr. James N. Miller • Comptroller/Chief Financial Officer: Robert Hale • Personnel and Readiness: Jo Ann Rooney (Acting) • Intelligence: Michael Vickers Deputy Chief Management Officer: Elizabeth McGrath Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: Admiral James Winnefeld, USN Chiefs of the Military Services: Chief of Staff of the Army: Raymond Odierno • Commandant of the Marine Corps: James Amos • Chief of Naval Operations: Jonathan Greenert Chief of Staff of the Air Force: Norton Schwartz • Chief of the National Guard Bureau: Craig McKinley

v t e United States Joint Chiefs of Staff Dempsey (Chairman) Winnefeld (Vice Chairman) Odierno (Army) Amos (Marine Corps) Greenert (Navy) Schwartz (Air Force) McKinley (National Guard) Battaglia (Senior Enlisted Advisor)

v t e Leaders of the United States Army Senior Officer / Commanding General Washington Knox Doughty Harmar St. Clair Wayne Wilkinson Hamilton Wilkinson Dearborn Brown Macomb Scott McClellan Halleck Grant Sherman Sheridan Schofield Miles Chiefs of Staff Young Chaffee Bates Bell Wood Wotherspoon Scott Bliss March Pershing Hines Summerall MacArthur Craig Marshall Eisenhower Bradley Collins Ridgway Taylor Lemnitzer Decker Wheeler Johnson Westmoreland Palmer Abrams Weyand Rogers Meyer Wickham Vuono Sullivan Reimer Shinseki Schoomaker Casey Dempsey Odierno Vice Chiefs of Staff Collins Haislip Hull Bolte Palmer Lemnitzer Decker Eddleman Hamlett Abrams Haines Palmer Haig Weyand Kerwin Kroesen Vessey Wickham Thurman Brown RisCassi Sullivan Reimer Peay Tilelli Griffith Crouch Shinseki Keane Casey Cody Chiarelli Austin

Anthony Kearns
Kearns performing in June 2011.
Background information
Birth name	Anthony Joseph Kearns
Born	(1971-08-17) August 17, 1971 (age 40)
Origin	Kiltealy, County Wexford, Ireland
Genres	Opera, Irish, Classical
Occupations	Singer, performer
Associated acts	The Irish Tenors, Ronan Tynan, Finbar Wright, John McDermott

Anthony Kearns (born 17 August 1971, Kiltealy, County Wexford, Ireland) is a founding member of the Irish Tenors, along with Ronan Tynan and John McDermott.

Early career[link]

Anthony Kearns is one of six children in a musical family; as a result, his interest in music came at a very early age. Kearns began singing traditional Irish songs with his family and won many singing competitions in his youth. He spent much of his youth learning the button (double row black dot) accordion (placing in the All-Ireland finals) and various other instruments common in Traditional music. He attended F.C.J. Secondary School Bunclody, singing at their masses and school shows. After leaving school, Kearns studied catering and hotel management, while singing in local musical productions, all the while entering and placing in various singing competitions around the country.^[1]

Kearns achieved success in 1993 after entering a national radio competition, "Ireland's Search for a Tenor" on the Gay Byrne program, a competition to celebrate the issuing of a new ten pound note (called a "tenner.") In magnificent renditions of The Impossible Dream and Danny Boy, Kearns won the competition, leaps ahead of his competitors. One of his prizes was an appearance on Gay Byrne's Late Late Show on TV. After winning the competition, he began training with the renowned Irish opera singer and vocal coach, Veronica Dunne, who was a judge on the show. Kearns then began pursing a full-time career in music.^[2]

Kearns' career took a leap in 1998 when Irish Producer Bill Hughes and PBS joined forces to begin ^[2] The Irish Tenors.[1] Kearns, the founding member of the Irish Tenors, collaborated with Ronan Tyan and John McDermott to net Gold, Platinum, and Double Platinum CD recognitions. The Irish Tenors are in the top 3 highest-grossing clients for PBS, bringing in a whopping $10 million dollars over the course of their lengthy collaboration.

Kearns teamed up with Bill Hughes again for a PBS project called Hallelujah Broadway, filmed in Prague in February 2010.[2] Hallelujah Broadway has since been broadcast on Irish and U.S. television stations, and Hallelujah Broadway concerts have been presented in various cities in the U.S. as well.

Professional Recognition[link]

As a youth, Anthony entered and won countless "All Ireland" singing competitions such as Ceol an Geimhridh, Feis Ceoils, Readoiri, Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, placing and winning often.

While studying with Dr. Dunne, Kearns continued competing in and winning talent competitions, twice winning the prestigious Dermot Troy Trophy for oratorio, as well as Best Male Singer at the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera, and Best Irish Singer at the 1999 ESB Veronica Dunne International Singing Competition.

The prize for Best Male Singer during all Veronica Dunne International Singing Competitions [3] is now presented in Anthony’s name.

Anthony was recognized in 2010 by the Irish Music Association as the Best Irish Tenor in the US, UK, and European Union. He is also a voting member of The Grammy's. ^[3]

Opera and Current Projects[link]

Kearns has made a huge impact on the opera world. His opera credits include: Fenton in an Italian production of Falstaff, Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi and the title role in Faust for Opera Ireland. The Irish Times said of his performance: "Kearns gets around the notes of Faust quite well. His subtle tonal shading and judicious use of well-supported head voice complements an exciting top register." Kearns also performed Carmen's Don Jose for Ireland's Glasthule Opera. The Irish Times wrote: "Anthony Kearns proved a top-notch Don José, rising to each decisive moment with quality to spare." Anthony performed Don Ottavio in a Lismore Music Festival production of Don Giovanni in June 2011 in Ireland. The British magazine "Opera Now" is quoted: "Anthony Kearns's beautifully spun Il Mio Tesoro was a moment of still beauty in the turmoil."

In the U.S. Kearns has performed the roles of Romeo (Romeo & Juliet: Then and Now), as well as Edgardo (Lucia di Lammermoor) for Opera Naples [FL]. Steffanie Pearce, Opera Naples Founder and Artistic Director, is quoted: "This is a voice-of-the-century voice!" Kearns was invited to sing Alfred in Die Fledermaus for the Emerald City Opera Company in Steamboat Springs, Colorado during the summer of 2011. In February 2012, Kearns reprised his title role of Faust for Opera Naples. Of his performance, Kearns was praised for executing opera’s most carefully crafted High C. Cello Bennett, of Cello Bennett Artists, reported: "Kearns sang with melting lyricism in the aria and love duets, adding dramatic intensity as required by the story and the score, topping his impressive performance off with endless high notes of ravishing beauty." The Naples News is quoted: "Kearns continues to prove he can sing anything lyrically -- and in French, too. As the younger Faust he is a vocal and visual maiden magnet."

To read Anthony's complete and official opera credits use this link. [4]

Kearns works tirelessly for many causes world-wide including countless benefit concerts in the U.S. and Ireland to raise funds for Education and Christian organizations. Among others, he has lent his name and talent to Autism Awareness [5] and works with many organizations who honor and assist U.S. troops. In 2012, he performed to benefit the USO's Operation Enduring Care and sand "God Bless America" during a military tribute at the 137th Preakness Stakes.

Kearns' 2012 Spring Tour ended on stage at the John F. Kennedy Library, in a celebration of the late President's Irish heritage. The Kennedy family traces their ancestry to the same county in which Kearns was born and raised: Wexford. See the entire concert here[6].

Learn More[link]

Anthony Kearns's professional quotes and reviews of performances can be accessed here.[7]

YouTube index of Anthony Kearns's youtube videos here. [8]

Anthony's charity work overview: [9] and notable events overview: [10]

Anthony Kearns draws from an immense and varied repertoire which includes Irish, [11] Classical, [12] and what he fondly calls songs of a golden age.[13]

Anthony Kearns: dozens of interviews with Anthony Kearns from all over the world are found here. [14]

Anthony Kearns: archived print articles and interviews with Anthony Kearns down through the years can be accessed here. [15]

Irish Tenors[link]

Kearns, Tynan and John McDermott were brought together for a concert at the Royal Dublin Society in 1998. The concert was broadcast on the American Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in 1999 and the group found itself in huge demand for concerts across the Atlantic and around the world. After the first year of international prominence, McDermott left the group to pursue solo opportunities. He was replaced by Finbar Wright, who has remained with the group. In 2006 Ronan Tynan left and was replaced by another Irish tenor Karl Scully; Tynan returned to the fold in 2010. The Irish Tenors, with Anthony Kearns as the only Tenor to stay with the group from its inception, continues to tour and record; each member also continues with solo projects.^[2] Anthony Kearns's music with the Irish Tenors can be found here [16]

References[link]

http://anthonykearns.net

http://anthonykearns.net/AJKBIO.html

http://www.anthonykearns.net/AJKoperacredits.pdf/

http://www.musicianguide.com/biographies/1608003200/The-Irish-Tenors.html

http://www.cmientertainment.com/Kearns.html

http://hallelujahbroadway.com

http://homepage.eircom.net/~skelton/Kearns/Interview.htm

http://www.theirishtenorsmusic.com/

External links[link]

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (December 2010)

• Anthony Kearns official website
• http://anthonykearns.net/
• http://wexford.org/Benefit_concerts.html
• http://www.cmientertainment.com/Kearns.html
• http://www.operanaples.org/2010_2011_shows/at_lucia_jan2011_review1.html
• http://www.operanaples.com/2011-2012%20shows/at_faust_feb2012.html
• http://www.theirishtenorsmusic.com/
• http://homepage.eircom.net/~skelton/Kearns/Interview.htm
• http://www.anthonykearnsmusic.com/
• http://anthonykearns.com/

Anthony's most current and authorized information including his accurate touring schedule, current media, audios & videos, can always be accessed on his official website at [17].

The Irish Tenors current schedule can be accessed on their website at [18]