Charles Whittington

Early life and education

Whittington is a native of Birmingham, Alabama. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1986 with a BS degree in political science. He joined Tau Kappa Epsilon during his time at Southern Mississippi. Whittington was commissioned via ROTC in December 1986 as a field artillery officer.

Military career

General Whittington began his military service when he was commissioned in December 1986 as an artillery officer in the Regular Army, through the University of Southern Mississippi, Reserve Officer Training Corps.

After commissioning, he served in Germany and as a Field Artillery Instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. During Operation Desert Storm, he served in Kuwait and Iraq as a Battery Executive Officer. Since joining the Maryland National Guard in 1993, he has commanded and held staff assignments at the battery, battalion and brigade levels.

In March 2007, Whittington deployed to Camp Victory, Iraq as Deputy Commander, 58th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. In June 2008, he assumed command of the 58th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and oversaw the Brigade's transformation into the 58th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade. General Whittington served as Deputy Commander, 29th Infantry Division in June 2010. He recently returned from Kabul, Afghanistan where he served on the International Joint Command Staff as Director, Afghan National Security Forces Development/ International Security Assistance Force from September 2011 to July 2012. He led a joint multicultural team tasked with developing and implementing key initiatives to facilitate the growth and development of the Afghan National Security Forces.

He was named First Army Deputy Commanding General for Operations on Aug. 26, 2015.

Civilian career

He is the vice president and Chief Information Officer for Pactiv Corporation in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Assignments

1. October 1987 - March 1988, Student, Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma
2. March 1988 - December 1988, Company Fire Support Officer, 4-67 Armor, Ray Barracks, Friedburg, Germany
3. December 1988 - December 1989, Executive Officer, Service Battery, 2-82d Field Artillery A (155SP), Ray Barracks, Friedburg, Germany
4. December 1989 - September 1990, Adjutant, 2-82d Field Artillery Battalion, Ray Barracks, Friedburg, Germany
5. September 1990 - July 1991, Executive Officer, Battery A, 2-82d Field Artillery, Basara, Iraq
6. . July 1991 - September 1992, Instructor, Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma
7. September 1992 - October 1993, United States Army Reserve Control Group
8. October 1993 - January 1995, Brigade Targeting Officer, 2-110 Field Artillery Battalion, Pikesville, Maryland
9. January 1995 - November 1997, Commander, Battery B / 2-110 Field Artillery Battalion, Pikesville, Maryland
10. November 1997 - July 1998, Plans Officer, 2-110 Field Artillery Battalion, Pikesville
11. . July 1998 - January 2002, Operations Officer, 2-110 Field Artillery Battalion, Pikesville, Maryland
12. January 2002 - August 2003, Executive Officer, 2-110 Field Artillery Battalion, Pikesville, Maryland
13. August 2003 - April 2006, Commander, 2-110 Field Artillery Battalion, Pikesville, Maryland
14. April 2006 to March 2007, Commander, 291 Army Liaison Team, Laurel, Maryland
15. March 2007 - May 2008, Deputy Commander, 58th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Camp Victory, Iraq
16. June 2008 - June 2010, Commander, 58th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Towson, Maryland
17. June 2010 - September 2012, Deputy Commander, 29th Infantry Division, Towson, Maryland
18. October 2012 – Present, Commander, 29th Infantry Division, Fort Belvoir, Virginia

Awards and decorations

Effective dates of promotion