David Petraeus

Date of Birth: November 7, 1952

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Biography

David Howell Petraeus is a retired United States Army General and public official, best known for his service as the commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and U.S. Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A). Born on November 7, 1952, in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York, Petraeus had a distinguished military career that spanned over 37 years. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1974 and subsequently earned a Ph.D. in International Relations from Princeton University. Petraeus first gained national prominence during the Iraq War, where he played a key role in the 2007 troop surge strategy. His leadership and strategic insights were credited with significantly reducing violence and stabilizing the region. After his successful tenure in Iraq, Petraeus served as the Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) from 2008 to 2010, overseeing operations in the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of South Asia. In 2010, Petraeus was appointed as the commander of ISAF and USFOR-A, where he led NATO and U.S. military efforts in Afghanistan during a critical phase of the conflict. In 2011, he retired from the military and became the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), a position he held until his resignation in 2012 following a personal scandal. Despite the controversy, Petraeus remains a highly regarded figure in military and academic circles. He has since taken on roles in academia, private sector consulting, and public speaking, continuing to influence discussions on national security and international affairs.

5 Interesting Facts about David Petraeus

1. David Petraeus graduated in the top 5% of his class at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

2. He is a highly decorated officer, having received numerous awards including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, and the Bronze Star Medal.

3. Petraeus earned his Ph.D. from Princeton University with a dissertation titled “The American Military and the Lessons of Vietnam: A Study of Military Influence and the Use of Force in the Post-Vietnam Era.”

4. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2007 and 2008.

5. After his resignation from the CIA, Petraeus joined the faculty of the University of Southern California and became a partner at the private equity firm KKR.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from David Petraeus

1. “The most important task is to transform our armed forces to meet the challenges of the 21st century.”

2. “There is an unchanging, enduring need for a military that is prepared to fight and win the nation’s wars.”

3. “What we have to do is recognize that we face a resilient, adaptive enemy.”

4. “In a democracy, the military answers to civilian leaders.”

5. “The surge in Iraq was a pivotal moment for our military and for the Iraqi people.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

David Petraeus’ highest net worth is estimated to be around $2 million, largely accrued from his military pension, consulting roles, academic positions, and various speaking engagements.

Children

David Petraeus and his wife, Holly Petraeus, have two children: Anne Petraeus and Stephen Petraeus. Anne graduated from Harvard University and works in the finance sector, while Stephen followed in his father’s footsteps by serving in the U.S. Army.