Maj. Gen. Ronnie Hawkins will assume command of the Defense Information Systems Agency next Wednesday during a ceremony at Fort Meade, Md., the agency’s headquarters. He will receive a third star for this new assignment. Hawkins has been deputy director of command, control, communications, and computer systems on the Joint Staff since last July. He was DISA’s vice director from September 2009 up until then. Hawkins will replace Army Lt. Gen. Carroll Pollett, who led DISA since December 2008. Pollett is retiring after a 37-year military career. DISA is a combat support agency that provides real-time information technology and communications support to the President, vice president, Defense Secretary, military services, and combatant commands. (DISA release)
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.