David Perkins

Gen. (Ret.) David Perkins is the Class of 1996 Chair for the Professional Military Ethic for the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic at West Point.

He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1980 and was commissioned as an armor officer. In 1988, he received a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan.

He commanded the 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment from 1996-98. The battalion served in Macedonia and took part in a United Nations mission to monitor Macedonia’s borders with Albania, Kosovo and Serbia. In 1999, Gen. Perkins received a master’s degree from the Naval War College.

In 2003, Gen. Perkins commanded the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division during the invasion of Iraq. His unit was the first to cross the border and enter the downtown government areas of Baghdad. He received the Silver Star for his part in the invasion.

In 2004 and 2005, he served as the executive assistant to the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. From 2005-07, he commanded the Joint Multinational Training Command in Germany. From 2007-08, he served as the G-3 (plans, operations and training staff officer) for U.S. Army Europe and Seventh U.S. Army.

In 2008, Gen. Perkins became the director for strategic effects (CJ-9) for Multi-National Force-Iraq. He coordinated and implemented political, economic and communications activities on behalf of MNF-I and served as the organization’s spokesman. From 2009-11, he commanded the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado. From 2011-14, he commanded the Combined Arms Center and served as the commandant of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. 

In March 2014, he assumed command of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command before retiring in March 2018.