James G. Stavridis

James G. Stavridis
Stavridis in 2014
Birth name	James George Stavridis
Nickname(s)	Zorbas[1]
Born	February 15, 1955 West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.[2]
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1976-2013
Rank	Admiral
Commands held	U.S. European Command Supreme Allied Commander Europe U.S. Southern Command
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit

James George Stavridis (born February 15, 1955)^[3] is the 12th Dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, the oldest school in the United States dedicated solely to graduate studies in international affairs.^[4] He is also Chairman of the Board of the U.S. Naval Institute.^[5][6] Stavridis is a retired United States Navy admiral who served as the 15th Commander, U.S. European Command and NATO's 16th Supreme Allied Commander Europe.^[7][8] He is the first Navy officer to have held these positions. His book "The Accidental Admiral" describing his tenure in these jobs was published on October 1, 2014. Previously, he served as Commander, U.S. Southern Command from October 2006 to June 2009.

Stavridis is a 1976 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy. He earned a PhD and Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in International Relations in 1984, where he won the Gullion Prize. He is an Associate Fellow of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy^[9]

Personal history

Stavridis was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, the son of Shirley (née Schaffer) and P. George Zafiris Stavridis.^[10][11][12] He is married to Laura Hall, author of Navy Spouses Guide. His grandparents were Pontic Greeks born and raised in northeastern Anatolia, who emigrated to the United States.^[13]

His 2008 book, Destroyer Captain: Lessons of a First Command, goes into more detail about his Greek refugee origins. He wrote,

In the early 1920's, my grandfather, a short, stocky Greek schoolteacher named Dimitrios Stavridis, was expelled from Turkey as part of 'ethnic cleansing' (read pogrom) directed against Greeks living in the remains of the Ottoman Empire. He barely escaped with his life in a small boat crossing the Aegean Sea to Athens and thence to Ellis Island. His brother was not so lucky and was killed by the Turks as part of the violence directed at the Greek minority.

A NATO exercise off the coast of modern Turkey was the "most amazing historical irony [he] could imagine," and prompted Stavridis to write of his grandfather: "His grandson, who speaks barely a few words of Greek, returns in command of a billion-dollar destroyer to the very city - Smyrna, now called İzmir - from which he sailed in a refugee craft all those years ago."^[14]

Career

ADM James G. Stavridis, former Commander, EUCOM, and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe.

Stavridis is a 1976 distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and a native of South Florida. He is a career surface warfare officer and served at sea in aircraft carriers, cruisers, and destroyers. After serving with distinction as Operations Officer on the newly commissioned USS Valley Forge, Stavridis commanded destroyer USS Barry from 1993 to 1995, completing deployments to Haiti, Bosnia, and the Persian Gulf. Barry won the Battenberg Cup as the top ship in the Atlantic Fleet under his command. In 1998, he commanded Destroyer Squadron 21 and deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1998, winning the Navy League’s John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational Leadership. From 2002 to 2004, Stavridis commanded Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, conducting combat operations in the Persian Gulf in support of both the successful Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Afterwards, Vice Admiral Stavridis served as senior military assistant to the United States Secretary of Defense. On October 19, 2006, he became the first navy commander of United States Southern Command in Miami, Florida. In July, 2009, he became Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR).^[15] He retired as SACEUR in 2013.

Ashore, he served as a strategic and long range planner on the staffs of the Chief of Naval Operations and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. At the start of the "Global War on Terror", he was selected as the director of the Navy Operations Group, Deep Blue, USA. He has also served as the executive assistant to the Secretary of the Navy and the senior military assistant to the United States Secretary of Defense.

Stavridis has long advocated the use of "Smart Power," which he defines as the balance of hard and soft power taken together. In numerous articles^[16] and speeches, he has advocated creating security in the 21st century by building bridges, not walls. Stavridis has stressed the need to connect international, inter-agency, and public-private actors to build security, lining all of them with effective strategic communications. His message was articulated in his book "Partnership for the Americas" which was published by the NDU Press and was based on his time as Commander of the U.S. Southern Command from 2006-2009 and was summarized in his 2012 Ted Global talk in Scotland which has been viewed more than 650,000 times on line.

Based on an anonymous complaint, in early 2011 the DOD IG began investigating allegations that ADM Stavridis “engaged in misconduct relating to official and unofficial travel and other matters.” He was subsequently the subject of a May 3, 2012, report by the Inspector General of the Department of Defense^[17] and was later absolved of wrongdoing by the Secretary of the Navy on September 11, 2012. In a Memorandum for the Record,^[18] Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus wrote that Stavridis: "has consistently demonstrated himself to be a model naval officer and a devoted public servant whose motivation is to do that which is necessary and appropriate to advance the interests of the United States." Mabus concluded that "I have determined that ADM Stavridis never attempted to use his public office for private gain nor did he commit personal misconduct."^[19]

Stavridis earned a PhD in International Relations (1984) and Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (1983) from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, where he won the Gullion Prize as outstanding student. He was appointed Dean of The Fletcher School on July 1, 2013. He is also a 1992 distinguished graduate of the United States National War College. In 2003, He was honored with the Naval War College Distinguished Graduate Leadership Award. He frequently publishes his thoughts, opinions and analyses in myriad publications, including the Western Hemisphere policy publication Americas Quarterly and the United States Naval Institute's blog.

As Dean of The Fletcher School, Stavridis has initiated a strategic planning process, invited several high level speakers to the campus, and is focusing thematically on the Arctic, the role of women in international relations, synthetic biology and its impact on foreign affairs, cyber, and the role of online media and social networks in public diplomacy.^[20]

Media and public speaking

Admiral Stavridis in the remote studio at The Fletcher School

Since leaving active duty, Stavridis has frequently appeared on major broadcast and cable television networks to comment on national security and foreign policy matters. He often comments on CNN,^[21] Fox News,^[22] BBC^[23] and Bloomberg,^[24] and is a frequent op-ed contributor in Foreign Policy^[25] and the Nikkei Asian Review.^[26]

Tufts University had a remote television studio installed^[27] on the campus of The Fletcher School so that he and other faculty and administrators could easily make themselves available to the international media.

Stavridis has also been a public speaker – among his known appearances were ones at the World Economic Forum^[28] in Davos, Switzerland, the Munich Security Conference ^[29] in 2013, and lectures at Harvard, Yale, Georgetown, and elsewhere.

Awards and decorations

U.S. Army General David H. Petraeus, right, with the U.S. Navy Admiral James G. Stavridis, commander of European Command and NATO's supreme allied commander for Europe in Brussels in 2011

U.S. Navy Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Army General John Craddock and U.S. Navy Admiral James G. Stavridis, incoming commander, salute during the national anthem at the U.S. European Command change of command ceremony at Patch Barracks in Stuttgart in June 2009

United States Decorations

Surface Warfare Officer badge

	Defense Distinguished Service Medal with 1 bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
	Navy Distinguished Service Medal
	Defense Superior Service Medal
	Legion of Merit with four gold award stars
	Meritorious Service Medal with 2 award stars
	Joint Service Commendation Medal
	Navy Commendation Medal with 3 award stars
	Navy Achievement Medal
	Joint Meritorious Unit Award with 1 oak leaf cluster
	Navy Unit Commendation
	Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with 2 bronze service stars
	Navy "E" Ribbon w/ Wreathed Battle E device
	Navy Expeditionary Medal
	National Defense Service Medal with 1 bronze service star
	Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with 2 bronze service stars
	Southwest Asia Service Medal with 1 bronze service star
	Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
	Armed Forces Service Medal with 2 bronze service stars
	Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 1 silver and 2 bronze service stars
	Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze service star
	Navy Expert Rifleman Medal
	Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal

International decorations

Commander's degree, National Order of the Legion of Honour of France[30]

Grand Cross Order of the Crown (Belgium)

Grand Cross Order of the Phoenix (Greece)

Commendation Ministry of Defense: "Cross of Merit and Honour First Class" (Greece)

Estonian Order of the Cross of the Eagle First Class[31]

Order of Merit of the Italian Republic Knight Grand Cross of the Republic

Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany Grand Merit Cross with Star[32]

Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

The Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary

Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit (Poland)[33]

Order of Duke Trpimir (Croatia)

Cross of Commander of the Order for Merits to Lithuania[34]

Investiture Medal of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.[35]

Order of Naval Merit (Argentina)

Order of Naval Merit in the degree of Grand Officer (Brazil)

Cruz de la Victoria (Chile)[36]

Order of Naval Merit Admiral Padilla (Colombia)

Order of the Peruvian Cross of Naval Merit in the rank of Grand Cross along with a White Ribbon (Peru)[37]

The Emblem of Honor of the General Staff of Romania

Medal of Honorary Recognition of Latvia[38]

Military Merit Grand Cross Medal of the Portuguese Republic

Order of Vakhtang Gorgasali - I Rank (Country of Georgia)[39]

Albanian Medal of Gratitude[40]

Slovenian Medal for multinational cooperation 1st grade

Navy National Defense Cross (Guatemala)

Grand Cross (Dominican Republic)

NATO Meritorious Service Medal

NATO Medal for Former Yugoslavia

Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)

Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

Other Awards and Honors

• Business Executives for National Security 2012 Eisenhower Award^[41]
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum 2011 Intrepid Freedom Award^[42]
• AFCEA 2011 David Sarnoff Award^[43]
• The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle 2011 Athenagoras Human Rights Award^[44]
• Navy League of the United States 2011 Alfred Theyer Mahan Award for Literary Achievement^[45]
• JINSA 2011 Henry M. Jackson Distinguished Service Award^[46]
• Atlantic Council 2011 Distinguished Military Leadership Award^[47]
• Chian Federation 33rd Annual Homeric Award^[48]
• Israeli Distinguished Ally Award, May 2013
• Stimson Center Pragmatist + Idealist Award, November 2013^[49]
• Alpha Omega Council Lifetime Achievement Award May 2015
• Naval Order of the United States - Distinguished Sea Service Award October 24, 2015
• HillVets.org - Named one of the 100 most influential and impactful veterans, service members and supporters for 2015^[50]

Published works

Selected books

• The Accidental Admiral: A Sailor Takes Command at NATO, U.S. Naval Institute Press, 2014 ISBN 978-1-61251-704-9
• Partnership for the Americas: Western Hemisphere Strategy and U.S. Southern Command, NDU Press, November 2010
• Command At Sea, Sixth Edition, Annapolis: U.S. Naval Institute Press, Co-authored with Rear Admiral Robert Girrier, USN, 2010 ISBN 9781591147985
• Destroyer Captain: Lessons of a First Command, U.S. Naval Institute Press, 2007 ISBN 9781591148494
• Watch Officer’s Guide, Twelfth Edition, Annapolis: U.S. Naval Institute Press, Co-authored with Captain Robert Girrier, 2006 ISBN 9781591149361
• Division Officer’s Guide, Eleventh Edition, Annapolis: U.S. Naval Institute Press, Co-authored with Commander Robert Girrier, 2005 ISBN 9781591147992

References

1. USNA 1976 Lucky Bag Yearbook
2. "Nominations of ADM James G. Stavridis, USN, for Reappointment to the Grade of Admiral and to be Commander, U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander, Europe; Lt. Gen. Douglas M. Fraser, USAF, to be General and Commander, U.S. Southern Command; and LTG Stanley A. McChrystal, USA, to be General and Commander, International Security Assistance Force and Commander, U.S. Forces, Afghanistan" (PDF). NOMINATIONS BEFORE THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, FIRST SESSION, 111TH CONGRESS. Government Printing Office. June 2, 2009. p. 793. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
3. "SAE - U.S. Admiral James G. Stavridis appointed NATO Supreme Commander / World Council of Hellenes Abroad". En.sae.gr. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
4. "NATO Commander Admiral James Stavridis Named Next Fletcher Dean". Retrieved July 8, 2013.
5. "Naval Institute Appoints Admiral James G. Stavridis Chair of the Board".
6. "Board of Directors". U.S. Naval Institute. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
7. Miles, Donna (June 30, 2009). "Stavridis Assumes Top European Command Post From Craddock". DefenseLink. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
8. "NATO Secretary General welcomes new Supreme Allied Commander Europe". 13 May 2013.
9. GCSP.CH. "Global Fellowship Initiative".
10. "P. George Stavridis". Morning Call. 2001-09-19. Retrieved 2013-07-08.
11. "Mrs. Minnie Schaffer". Morning Call. 1985-04-07. Retrieved 2013-07-08.
12. Navy Spouse's Guide - Laura Hall Stavridis - Google Books. Books.google.ca. Retrieved 2013-07-08.
13. Shanker, Thom (June 29, 2009). "For a Post in Europe, a Renaissance Admiral". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-06-30.
14. Oren, Amir (October 16, 2009). "U.S. NATO chief blames Turkey for 'ethnic cleansing' of Greeks, including own family". Haaretz. Retrieved 2009-10-16.
15. NATO biography page retrieved in March 2012, http://www.aco.nato.int/page15314820.aspx
16. Oliver Barrett (July 25, 2013). "Talking 'Smart Power' With Admiral Stavridis". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
17. " DOD IG Report No. 11H118481105, of May 3, 2012
18. http://www.navy.mil/secnav/SECNAV_letter_09112012.pdf
19. "Stavridis II: Winning the Battle, Losing the War". TIME.com. November 12, 2012.
20. "The Power of Soft Power: Dean Stavridis Featured in Tufts Magazine | Tufts Fletcher School". Fletcher.tufts.edu. 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
21. "Fmr. NATO Commander: ISIS will replace leader killed - CNN Video". CNN. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
22. "Admiral James Stavridis: We must go after ISIS at its source". Fox News. 2016-03-23. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
23. "Former NATO Commander: 'Russia confident Assad will stay in power' - BBC News". BBC News. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
24. "Trump, Clinton and the Importance of U.S. Foreign Policy". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
25. "Was a Fake War in the Saudi Desert a Dress Rehearsal for a Syrian Invasion?". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
26. Stavridis, James (Feb. 23, 2016). "Nikkei Asian Review". Retrieved March 29, 2016. Check date values in: |date= (help)
27. "Dean’s Video: Oct 2015: In the New TV Studio with Ed Schumacher-Matos, Director of The Murrow Center".
28. "James G. Stavridis - World Economic Forum". World Economic Forum.
29. ""We have to share our military and industrial capabilities" - Munich Security Conference". February 22, 2016.
30. "ACO - Allied Command Operations | French Chief of Defence visits SHAPE". Aco.nato.int. 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
31. "Admiral Stavridis Receives Order of the Cross of the Eagle from Estonia".
32. "Germany honors SACEUR Stavridis with medal".
33. Postanowienie Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej z dnia 20 kwietnia 2011 r. o nadaniu orderu (M.P. Nr 71, poz. 695)
34. "The President awards NATO Supreme Allied Commander Admiral James G. Stavridis with the Cross of Commander". Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania. Retrieved November 16, 2012.
35. nl:Inhuldigingsmedaille 2013
36. "Ejército de Chile - Noticias". Ejercito.cl. 2008-01-09. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
37. http://web.archive.org/web/20110726212517/http://justf.org/files/images/gallery/080421pe01.jpg. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2010. Missing or empty |title= (help)
38. "Sargs.lv". Sargs.lv. 2012-07-17. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
39. "Admiral James G. Stavridis given the Vakhtang Gorgasali award by Saakashvili".
40. "President Nishani awards the "Medal of Gratitude" to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Admiral Stavridis".
41. http://www.bens.org/document.doc?id=100
42. "Intrepid Freedom Award". Intrepidmuseum.org. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
43. "AFCEA". AFCEA. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
44. "Order Of Saint Andrew The Apostle". Archons.org. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
45. http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/reference/messages/Documents/ALNAVS/ALN2011/ALN11052.txt
46. "The 2011 Henry M. Jackson Distinguished Service Award & Grateful Nation Award Dinner - November 7, Washington DC | JINSA Online". Jinsa.org. 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
47. "2011 Atlantic Council Annual Awards Dinner: Biden, Stavridis, Kent, Domingo | Atlantic Council". Acus.org. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
48. "NEO, October 2012 - Chian Federation to Present Adm. James G. Stavridis with 33rd Annual Homeric Award". Neomagazine.com. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
49. "Stimson Center Honoring James Stavridis and Nokia with Pragmatist + Idealist Awards this Friday | Spotlight | The Stimson Center | Pragmatic Steps for Global Security". Stimson.org. 2013-11-12. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
50. "HillVets 100 of 2015 to be honored on March 22nd". HillVets.

External links

• U.S. Smart Power: Interview with Adm. Stavridis. Bjoern H. Seibert, Fletcher Forum of World Affairs, Summer 2008 Vol 32:2.
• Interview with Adm. Stavridis. Col David H. Gurney, USMC, Joint Force Quarterly, Issue 50, 3d Quarter 2008
• EUCOM blog
• Stavridis gives testimony regarding Libya crisis, 28 March 2011 - see 4.39pm

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Government document "http://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/navybio.asp?bioID=270".