WEST POINT, N.Y. - The Chief of Staff of the Army has announced that Col. R.J. Garcia will be promoted to brigadier general and become the next Commandant of Cadets at the U.S. Military Academy.

Garcia graduated from West Point in 1996 and holds a Bachelor of Science from the U.S. Military Academy, a Master of Science from Kansas State University, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

Garcia, originally from San Antonio, Texas, is a Senior Army Aviator who has earned the Combat Action Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the Army Staff Badge. His awards and decorations are commensurate with his positions of responsibility and time in service.

He has served in various locations and duty positions across the United States and overseas, to include the 2nd Infantry Division, 4th Infantry Division, 3rd Infantry Division, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, 1st Cavalry Division, the U.S. Military Academy, 1st Armored Division, the Army Staff, 25th Infantry Division, and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. He is currently serving as deputy commander (support), 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

He will replace Maj. Gen. Lori L. Robinson who will become commanding general, U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala.

A change of command ceremony is planned for later this year. 

About West Point  
The U. S. Military Academy at West Point is a four-year, co-educational, federal service academy located 50 miles north of New York City. It was founded in 1802 as America's first college of engineering and continues today as the world’s premier leader-development institution, consistently ranked among top colleges in the country. Its mission is to build, educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets to be commissioned leaders of character committed to the Army Values and ready for a lifetime of service to the Army and Nation. For more information, go to www.westpoint.edu.