General Paul Joseph LaCamera[1] (born September 4, 1963)[2] is a United States Army infantry officer and a former commander of XVIII Airborne Corps. He also took command of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve from Lieutenant General Paul E. Funk II on September 13, 2018. In April 2019, LaCamera was nominated for appointment to general[3] and assignment as the next commander of United States Army Pacific.[4] His promotion was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 27, 2019.[5] He took over command of USARPAC on November 18, 2019.
LaCamera was formerly commander of the 4th Infantry Division.[6] He is a native of Westwood, Massachusetts.
Military career[edit]
LaCamera was commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1985.[7] He served as rifle platoon leader with C Company, 3d Battalion (Airborne), 504th Infantry, 82d Airborne Division. Later he served as Company commander, 4th Ranger Training Battalion, Ranger Training Brigade, Operations Officer, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, 2d Infantry Division and Executive Officer, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. From February 2001 to May 2003, he commanded the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (Light), which deployed as part of Operation Anaconda to Afghanistan. LaCamera then took command of the 3d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia.
LaCamera commanded the 75th Ranger Regiment from 2005 to 2007. Following this command, he became the Director of Operations, Joint Special Operations Command from 2007 to 2009. In 2009, he became the Assistant Commanding General, Joint Special Operations Command. From 2010 to 2012, LaCamera served as the Deputy Commanding General (Operations), 25th Infantry Division.[8] He later served as commanding general XVIII Airborne Corps and commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve.[9]
Training and education[edit]
LaCamera earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. His military education includes the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Army Command and General Staff College, the Army War College, the Naval War College, and the Senior Service College Fellowship Course.[6]
Awards and decorations[edit]
