William "Kip" Ward

Lt. General William “Kip” Ward (Ret.) is a retired Army General Officer and was the inaugural Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). He successfully established the nation’s newest and most uniquely positioned interagency geographic command responsible for all U.S. defense and security activities on the African continent and its island nations, with staff representatives from State, Commerce, Treasury, Homeland Security and other U.S. Cabinet Departments and Agencies. In commanding AFRICOM, his visionary leadership promoted the value of forging relationships, creating partnerships, enhancing regional cooperation and the importance of sustained security engagement in pursuing U.S. national interests. Prior to that role, General Ward was Deputy Commander, United States European Command, responsible for the Command’s day-to-day activities. General Ward is a distinguished and steady leader, having commanded at every level from platoon as a Lieutenant to geographic command as a General. Ward has spent his life in selfless service to the nation, safeguarding America’s interests at home and abroad and has an enviable reputation for his teamwork. A Master Paratrooper, General Ward is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced courses, Fort Benning, Georgia; the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; and the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. General Ward was an assistant professor, Department of Social Sciences, teaching political science and public policy at the United States Military Academy, West Point. General Ward is a decorated combat veteran and holds a bachelor’s of arts degree in political science from Morgan State University in Baltimore and a master’s of arts degree in political science from The Pennsylvania State University.