Army's newest general

1st Infantry Division
Story by Master Sgt. Nathan Hoskins

Date: 09.04.2018
Posted: 09.06.2018 12:40
News ID: 291631
US Army's newest general

WIESBADEN, Germany – The 1st Infantry Division’s deputy commanding officer for support was promoted to brigadier general during a ceremony held at the U.S. Army Europe headquarters, Wiesbaden, Germany, Sept. 4, 2018.

Brig. Gen. Todd Wasmund, who is currently deployed and commanding USAREUR’s Mission Command Element in Poznań, Poland, was promoted by Lt. Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the USAREUR commander, in front of fellow senior leaders from across USAREUR and the 1st Inf. Div.

“Your spirit of teamwork and thoughtful approach to leading our key efforts in Eastern Europe make it a very welcome thing indeed that you chose to be promoted with us today,” said Cavoli. “For everybody back at Fort Riley, [Kansas], thank you very much for consigning to us the honor and the privilege of promoting Col. Wasmund today.”

Also in attendance was Wasmund’s wife, Tracy Wasmund, mother, Barbara Sooy, and brother, Greg Wasmund, who all participated in the promotion ceremony.

Cavoli reminded Wasmund ahead of his promotion that being promoted to the rank of general officer is a privilege and a burden.

“They say that the densest and heaviest form of matter is a collapsed star. I don’t agree with that,” said Cavoli. “The heaviest form of matter is what you’re about to put on your shoulder – that single star. You will hold the lives – the welfare of Soldiers, sergeants, and officers – in your hands, and you will do so directly and personally, responsible to the American people. It’s a very profound move. Welcome to the ranks of the general officer.”

Wasmund, a Centerville, Ohio, native, assumed responsibilities of DCO-S in May at Fort Riley, Kansas, and then in July deployed to Poznań in support of the Atlantic Resolve mission.

Wasmund was reflective and grateful upon his promotion to brigadier general.

“I’ve learned that leadership in the Army is about caring for Soldiers and their families,” he said. “Tracy and I have been so blessed to serve in such remarkable units with so many remarkable Soldiers and families, and they are the reason we are here, and we’re grateful to all of them.”

Wasmund also thanked all the noncommissioned officers, officers and leaders he’s had the privilege of serving with during his 27 years in the military, to include his classmates from the Unites States Military Academy, some who attended the ceremony in person.

Most importantly though, Wasmund thanked his wife, family and extended family, both in attendance and watching live via social media from across the globe.

As the deputy commanding general of USAREUR’s Mission Command Element, Wasmund is responsible for all rotational forces deployed in support of Atlantic Resolve – a mission of assurance and deterrence in Eastern Europe that stretches from Estonia to Bulgaria.

The newly minted general’s awards, decorations and badges include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, and Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge.

Wasmund attended Centerville High School in Centerville, Ohio, and graduated in 1985 before being selected to attend the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.

He then commissioned as a field artillery officer upon graduating from USMA in 1991. He has since attended the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses in Fort Sill; Oklahoma, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College; the Joint Advanced Warfighting School; the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, with a Master of Science in Finance; and the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy in Washington, D.C., with a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy.