David Petraeus

Introduction

David Howell Petraeus is a retired general from the U.S. Army. Petraeus also served as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from September 6, 2011, until he quit on November 9, 2012. Before becoming the CIA director, Petraeus spent 37 years in the U.S. Military. In his final roles in the army, he oversaw both the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and U.S. Forces - Afghanistan (USFOR-A) from July 4, 2010 to July 18, 2011.

From October 13, 2008, to June 30, 2010, David served as leader of the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) and as commanding general of Multinational Force - Iraq (MNF-I) from February 10, 2007, to September 16, 2008. As MNF-I chief, David was accountable for all joining forces in Iraq.

In 1983, David completed as one of the most promising learners in the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He also proceeded to the United States Military Academy and studied at Georgetown University. Although some individuals talked about it, he doesn't want to run for post. President Obama chose Petraeus to be in charge of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan after General McChrystal exited his job as the Commander of the United States Central Command.

On June 30, 2011, Petraeus became the Director of the CIA. On August 31, 2011, he exited the U.S. Army. David quit being the Director of the CIA on November 9, 2012, because he had a romantic affair with his historian Paula Broadwell. In January 2015, there was news that David might get into trouble for communicating secret data with Broadwell. Finally, he admitted to not controlling secret information accurately and got probation and a $100,000 fine for giving secret stuff to Broadwell without approval.

Earnings and Military Retirement Pay

As a Four-Star General, David gained $234,803 for each year. With 38 years of military assistance, he currently obtains a military pension of $20,000 per month. When he became the Director of the CIA, his earnings were $203,000.

It is not clear how much he gains as a board member at private equity company KKR. Nevertheless, based on similar roles held by other board members, it's highly likely that he earns at least $350 thousand as a base salary. He also received dividends and potential stock options in the firm.

David Petraeus Biography

David Petraeus was born in New York to a librarian mother and a sea captain father. His dad came to the U.S. from the Netherlands during World War II, and his parents met at a church institute. After the war, they shifted to Cornwall-on-Hudson, where David was raised and completed high school in 1970.

Petraeus visited the United States Military Academy at West Point. He competed in soccer and skied on the college teams. David was also a captain of the brigade staff and got a degree as an excellent student in 1974 (ranked 40th overall). In his yearbook, Petraeus was recognized for his active participation in sports, academics, administration, and social life.

When Petraeus was a cadet, he began dating the daughter of Army General William A. Knowlton, Holly. They got wedded 2 months after Petraeus completed his graduation. Holly is intelligent and understands numerous languages. She did excellently in high school and university. They have a daughter called Anne and a son called Stephen. Petraeus swore his son into the Army after he got a degree from MIT. David's son served in Afghanistan as part of the 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team.

David stays in a small residence in Springfield, New Hampshire, that his spouse got from her parents. Petraeus once said to his close friend that he was a Republican who supported Rockefeller's ideas.

Military Career

Petraeus had many crucial jobs in the army. He quickly moved up in rank and did excellently. He helped in Bosnia and served closely with top army leaders. He led a division during the Iraq war in 2003 and was honored for his administration in Mosul.

In 2007, General Petraeus became the chief of the global force in Iraq. He used a strategy named the "surge" to bring more American troops and stop roughness between different groups. His tactics assisted in making Iraq more stable by using both military actions and gaining support from local people.

In 2008, Petraeus became the Commander of the U.S. Central Command and was in charge of all U.S. military functions in the Middle East and Central Asia. In 2010, he took authority of the NATO International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, where he used an identical technique to battle against rebels as he did in Iraq.

Retirement from the U.S. Army

On August 31, 2011, Petraeus quit the Army. He had a ritual at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall to honor his retirement. At the ceremony, he obtained a vital award named the Army Distinguished Service Medal from Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn. Lynn declared that Petraeus was an incredible leader and strategist in the time after September 11. He also cited Petraeus's work in counter-insurgency strategy.

Admiral Michael Mullen, who was in charge of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, declared that General Petraeus was like Ulysses S. Grant, John J. Pershing, George Marshall, and Dwight D. Eisenhower - all renowned army heads in America's history. As a 4-star general, David gets an annual pension of about $220,000 for each year.

Director of the CIA

After he quit working in the army in 2011, Petraeus was selected by President Barack Obama to be the Director of the CIA. During his period at the CIA, he attempted to combine military and intelligence movements to battle against multinational terrorism.

Scandal and Resignation

In 2012, Petraeus suddenly left as the head of the CIA when it came out that he had fooled his spouse with his biographer, Paula Broadwell. The FBI also learned that Petraeus had provided classified data to Broadwell. He accepted the blame for improperly handling classified details in 2015.

Post-Scandal Life

Despite the disgrace, Petraeus has stayed involved in public life. He joined a firm named KKR in 2013, where he is the Chairman of the KKR Global Institute. In that position, he examines financial trends and global matters. He often interviews about national protection and military issues and is famous for his statements on global affairs.

Additional Recognition

David and Dr. Henry Kissinger were the first recipients of the Recanati-Kaplan Award for Civic Excellence and Cultural Engagement, provided by the 92nd Street Y on May 19, 2019. Later, 92Y developed an Online Master Class in Leadership with a series of speeches by Petraeus.

Petraeus became the 1st American military professional on November 19, 2020, to give the annual Lee Knowles Lecture at Cambridge University's Trinity College.

On December 7, 2020, the Institute for the Study of War began "The General David H. Petraeus Center for Emerging Leaders" to provide recent educational and professional growth programs to its learners. Petraeus has been on ISW's board since November 2013.

Winding Up

David Petraeus is a former Army general who made substantial contributions in both military and civilian positions, leaving a lasting influence on our nation's history. He led the 101st Airborne Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom and presided over Multinational Force - Iraq, effectively overseeing troops through challenging tasks while assuring their protection.

Petraeus had significant roles after his military profession, including being the CIA boss from 2011 to 2012. He performed a vital role in providing national safety and provided beneficial recommendations. David enjoyed collaborating with other nations, forming companionships with their administrators, and encouraging global teamwork in combating terrorism and maintaining peace.