President Obama has nominated Army Lt. Gen. Raymond Thomas to lead US Special Operations Command, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced Feb. 29. If confirmed by the Senate, he would replace Gen. Joseph Votel, who will take command of US Central Command from retiring Gen. Lloyd Austin. Thomas currently serves as commander of Joint Special Operations Command and would receive his fourth star if confirmed. He is a career special operator, having served as an operations officer and squadron commander in the Army’s Delta Force, and also as the associate director of the Central Intelligence Agency for military affairs.
Active-Duty Airmen must ensure they have a waist-to-height ratio assessment in their official record within the next two weeks, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said in a July 13 letter to the force focused on physical fitness and appearance standards.