Lieutenant General Steven M. Shepro becomes the new Deputy Chairman of the NATO Military Committee

The Military Committee and International Military Staff welcomes Lieutenant General Steven M. Shepro as he enters the position of Deputy Chairman of the Military Committee today, replacing outgoing Deputy Chairman, Lieutenant General Mark O. Schissler.

Lieutenant General Shepro was commissioned in 1984 as a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and is an Olmsted Scholar fluent in multiple languages. He is a command pilot who has commanded at the operational squadron, group and wing levels, and has served as commanding general of NATO Air Training Command Afghanistan.  Over the course of his career he has amassed over 3,000 flying hours in fighters, helicopters, and tactical airlift including over 600 combat hours in numerous operations. Lieutenant General Shepro has served in the Joint Staff, Air Staff, and in Coalition Command and Combatant Command positions. He most recently served as the Vice Director for Strategic Plans and Policy for the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. In this role, he provided strategic direction, policy guidance, and planning focus to develop and execute the National Military Strategy.

Speaking to Lieutenant General Shepro on his first day in office, he said: “I am honoured to be part of this re-energized NATO that is more relevant than ever.  As Deputy Chairman of the Military Committee, I look forward to working with the Chairman to strengthen the Alliance through enhanced cooperation, and serving with this extraordinarily talented team confronting today’s unprecedentedly complex security arena.”

Before departing the Headquarters, Lieutenant General Schissler took the opportunity to thank the Military Committee for their continued commitment and steadfast support in providing consensus-based military advice and the international military staff for all their hard work during his tenure. “Working in an international environment, in a senior military position, afforded me a unique insight into the conscientious and dedicated work of all those who work for NATO. As I depart the Headquarters, I am proud of what has been achieved and in no doubt of NATO’s continued importance and future”, said Lieutenant General Schissler.

During his tenure as Deputy Chairman, Lieutenant General Schissler, was the Military Advisor to the Deputy Secretary General in his capacity as the Chairman of the High Level Task Force, and Co-Chairman of the Senior NATO Logisticians Conference.

The Deputy Chairman of the Military Committee (DCMC) is a United States Officer and his responsibilities are to assist the Chairman of the Military Committee (CMC) in the execution of his duties and to take over the CMC's duties in his absence. He is also specifically responsible for the co-ordination of Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) matters within the International Military Staff (IMS).