Maj. Gen. Paul Calvert, '88, takes command of the Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve on Sept. 9.
Article By: Clark Leonard
Maj. Gen. Paul Calvert, '88, is the third University of North Georgia (UNG) graduate to serve as commander of the Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) Operation Inherent Resolve. Calvert, who just received his third star, begins the new role Sept. 9.
Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) is the multinational coalition of military forces with the mission to defeat the Islamic State in parts of Iraq and Syria.
"I'm very honored and humbled by the trust and confidence placed in me by the secretary of the Army and the chief of staff of the Army to lead and command Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve," Calvert said. "The command has a clear mission, a willing coalition and an able partner. I'm excited about the opportunity ahead."
Retired Lt. Gen. James Terry, '78, served as the first commander for Operation Inherent Resolve in 2014. Gen. Stephen Townsend, '82, is the other UNG Corps of Cadets alumnus among the operation's seven commanders in its brief history.
"I have big shoes to fill following behind Gen. Townsend and retired Lt. Gen Terry. Both led and commanded the CJTF at critical times in the command's history and made a significant difference in doing so," Calvert said. "The fact that we have had so many UNG graduates who have served with distinction in OIR, as well as Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn, speaks to the high-caliber leaders our institution is consistently producing."
Calvert served as assistant deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and training with the Headquarters Department of the Army from October 2019 through August 2020. He previously served as commander of the 1st Cavalry Division from October 2017 to October 2019 after a stint as deputy commanding general for the same division from July 2016 to October 2017.
Calvert is one of five flag officers from UNG's class of 1988, with four of those five still on active duty. The others are Maj. Gen. William K. Gayler, Maj. Gen. James B. Jarrard and Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Jarrard. Brig. Gen. Michael L. Scholes retired in 2016.
Terry was assistant professor of military science and commandant while Calvert and the others were at UNG.
"Seeing Paul and the others from the class of '88 become senior leaders in the Army really is phenomenal. It's certainly rewarding for me to know that I was a small part of their learning how to lead at North Georgia," Terry said. "I was thrilled to hear it. It's just a testament to the quality of leaders that we produce out of the Corps of Cadets — true Georgia gold."
