Thomas D. Waldhauser

Thomas D. Waldhauser
General Thomas D. Waldhauser in 2016
Born	(1953-12-16) December 16, 1953 South St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1976–2019
Rank	General
Commands	United States Africa Command I Marine Expeditionary Force United States Marine Forces Central Command United States Special Operations Command Africa Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC)
Battles / wars	Gulf War War in Afghanistan Iraq War
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3) Defense Superior Service Medal (2) Legion of Merit for Valor Bronze Star Medal

Thomas David "Tom" Waldhauser (born December 16, 1953) is a retired United States Marine Corps general who was the Commander of United States Africa Command. He previously served as Director for Joint Force Development, J7 on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force, and Commanding General, United States Marine Forces Central Command. Waldhauser is an alumnus of Bemidji State University.

Military career

AFRICOM Commander Thomas D. Waldhauser with U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General David L. Goldfein and Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Tod D. Wolters and USAFE-AFAFRICA Commander General Jeffrey L. Harrigian at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 1, 2019.

Waldhauser was born in South St. Paul, Minnesota, and is a graduate of Bemidji State University. He was commissioned into the United States Marine Corps in 1976 as an infantry officer through the Platoon Leaders Class program via Officer Candidates School. His company grade assignments included platoon and company commander billets with both the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions; Commanding Officer of the Marine Detachment aboard the USS Long Beach (CGN-9); and staff of the Commander of Amphibious Squadron Seven.

As a field grade officer, Waldhauser was a Battalion Landing Team Operations Officer and served on the faculty of the Amphibious Warfare School. During the Amphibious Warfare School tour, he deployed to the staff of the Commander, United States Marine Forces Central Command (Forward) during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.

Waldhauser also served on the II Marine Expeditionary Force staff. He was the Battalion Landing Team Commander of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment. He also had duty at Headquarters, United States Marine Corps, and the Pentagon with the Joint Staff Combating Terrorism Directorate (J-34).

As a colonel, Waldhauser assumed command of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC) in 2000. During this tour, the unit participated in combat operations in Southern Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom and in Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Appointed to the rank of brigadier general in 2003, Waldhauser's initial assignments as a general Officer were Commanding General, Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, and Deputy Commander, Marine Corps Combat Development Command. From 2006–2007, he served as Chief of Staff, United States Special Operations Command, in Tampa, Florida.

As a major general, Waldhauser commanded the First Marine Division from September 2007 until July 2009.

Promoted to lieutenant general in 2009, Waldhauser served as the Deputy Commandant for Plans Policies, and Operations during 2009–2010. From October 2010 through September 2012, he served as the Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force, and Commanding General, United States Marine Forces Central Command. Waldhauser served as the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense from October 2012 through September 2013.

Waldhauser was promoted to general on 18 July 2016 and became the commander of United States Africa Command. He retired in 2019.

Waldhauser has attended the United States Army Ranger School, Jumpmaster School, Amphibious Warfare School, and Marine Corps Command and Staff College.

Post-military activities

Since his retirement from the military in 2019, he has held positions on the Board of Governors for the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, as an Honorary Advisor for Girl Security, and a position as a Fellow at the National Defense University. He serves as a Senior Advisor for Jones Group International as well.

Awards and decorations

Waldhauser's decorations and medals include:

SCUBA Diver Badge

Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia

Defense Distinguished Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters

Defense Superior Service Medal with oak leaf cluster

Legion of Merit with Combat V

Bronze Star

Meritorious Service Medal with three gold award stars

Navy Achievement Medal with award star

Combat Action Ribbon

Navy Presidential Unit Citation

Joint Meritorious Unit Award

Navy Unit Commendation

Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation

National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

Southwest Asia Service Medal with two service stars

Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two service stars

Iraq Campaign Medal with two service stars

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Humanitarian Service Medal with service star

Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with eight service stars

Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)

Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge

Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

• He holds Expert Rifle (4th award) and Expert Pistol (4th award) marksmanship badges. He also earned the U.S. Army Ranger tab.