Anthony James Cotton is a retired United States Air Force four-star general who last served as the 12th commander of the United States Strategic Command from 9 December 2022 to 5 December 2025. He previously served as the commander of the Air Force Global Strike Command from 27 August 2021 to 7 December 2022, having served as the deputy commander from 2019 to 2021. Prior to that, he was the president of the Air University.
Cotton is from Dudley, North Carolina, where he graduated from Southern Wayne High School in 1981. He is the son of James H. and Amy K. Cotton; his father was a chief master sergeant in the Air Force. Anthony Cotton was commissioned through ROTC at North Carolina State University in 1986, where he also earned a bachelor's degree in political science. Prior to his AFGSC service, Cotton commanded the 20th Air Force, served as deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office, and was senior military assistant to the under secretary of defense for intelligence.
In June 2022, Cotton was nominated for reappointment as general and assignment as commander of the United States Strategic Command. He appeared for a hearing before the Senate Committee on Armed Services on 15 September 2022 and was confirmed by voice vote of the full Senate on 29 September 2022. He assumed command on 9 December 2022.
Awards and decorations
Command Space Operations BadgeCommand Missile Operations BadgeOffice of the Secretary of Defense Identification BadgeHeadquarters Air Force Badge Air Force Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf clusterDefense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf clusterLegion of Merit with oak leaf clusterDefense Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clustersAir Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf clusterAir Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf clusterAir Force Outstanding Unit Award with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clustersAir Force Organizational Excellence AwardNational Reconnaissance Office Distinguished Service Medal (gold medal)Combat Readiness Medal with oak leaf clusterNational Defense Service Medal with one bronze service starGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalAir and Space Campaign MedalNuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with "N" deviceAir Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and three bronze oak leaf clustersSmall Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with service starAir Force Training Ribbon
Effective dates of promotions
+ Rank Date Second lieutenant7 June 1986 First lieutenant7 June 1988 Captain7 June 1990 Major1 March 1998 Lieutenant colonel1 March 2002 Colonel1 December 2006 Brigadier general10 November 2011 Major general6 July 2015 Lieutenant general15 February 2018 General27 August 2021
References
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