March 30, 2016
Votel takes command at CENTCOM
Defense Secretary Ash Carter receives the U.S. Central Command guidon as U.S. Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III relinquishes command to U.S. Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel. Carter officiated the change of command ceremony, which attracted more than 1,000 attendees, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Marine Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Central Command's component commanders, community leaders and senior coalition representatives.