The Obama administration announced Tuesday the appointment of Marine Corps Gen. Vincent R. Stewart, who presently serves in a key cybersecurity position of the U.S. military, to become the next director of the Defense Intelligence Agency.
Gen. Stewart, who is slated to be promoted to the rank of lieutenant general before assuming the command later this month, will become the first African-American — as well as the first Marine — to head the military spy agency.
In announcing the appointment Tuesday, Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper said the general’s “temperament, professional background, leadership skills and integrity make him eminently suited to be the next DIA director.”
Gen. Stewart presently serves as commander of Marine Forces Cyber Command. He was previously the director of intelligence for the U.S. Marine Corps headquarters at Quantico, Virginia.
The announcement of his promotion marks the latest shakeup at the DIA, following reports that previous director, Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn had faced pressure to resign over frustration within the agency at his management style.
In April, Gen. Flynn announced that he would be leaving the post a year earlier than expected. Following his departure, the post has been filled during recent months by interim director David Shedd.
• Guy Taylor can be reached at gtaylor@washingtontimes.com.
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