Courtesy Photo Gen. Martin Dempsey General Martin Dempsey assumed the duties of Commander, United States Army Training and Doctrine Command Dec. 8, after serving as Acting Commander U.S. Central Command.

Dempsey graduated from the United States Military Academy and was commissioned as an Armor officer in June 1974.

His most recent assignments included command of the 1st Armored Division in 2003 deploying to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

After completing 14 months in Iraq, Dempsey redeployed the division to Germany and completed his command tour in July 2005. In August 2005, Dempsey returned to Iraq and assumed command of the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq until summer 2007, when he departed for his next assignment as Deputy Commander of U.S. Central Command. In August 2007, Dempsey assumed the position of Deputy Commander, U.S. Central Command, and served as Acting Commander, U.S. Central Command, from March 28, 2008 to Oct. 30, 2008.

Dempsey has several degrees and in August 1982, Dempsey began studies at Duke University, earning a Master's Degree in English, and upon completion in 1984 was assigned to the English Department at West Point. He performed duties as an instructor, and later assistant professor, in the department until summer 1987, when he was assigned to the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., where he earned a Master's Degree in Military Art and Science. In July 1988, General Dempsey reported to the 3rd Armored Division in Friedburg, Germany, where he served as the Executive Officer of 4th Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, and then became Operations Officer and later Executive Officer for 3rd Brigade, 3rd Armored Division, deploying in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In July 1991, Dempsey assumed command of the 4th Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division.

In summer 1993, after five years in Germany, Dempsey was assigned as Chief of the Armor Branch a U.S. Total Army Personnel Command. He then continued his studies at the National War College in 1995, earning a Master's Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. In 1996, Dempsey took command of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment.