Army Reserve Maj. Gen. Ricky Waddell, commander of the 76th Operational Response Command, has been selected to succeed K.T. McFarland as deputy national security adviser, Politico reported Wednesday.
Waddell will report directly to Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, who received Senate confirmation for the national security adviser post in March, and will oversee daily operations and lead deputy panel meetings.
The report said McFarland is set to leave for Singapore later this year to serve as a U.S. ambassador.
Waddell previously served as deputy commander for mobilization and reserve affairs at the U.S. Southern Command in Florida before he assumed the 76th ORC commander post in October 2015.
The 35-year Army Reserve veteran also served as director for European security affairs at NSC, instructor at the U.S. Military Academy’s social sciences department and commander of the C Company under the 35th engineer battalion.
He held other military assignments that include energy sector strategic analyst at the U.S. Central Command and special assistant at the office of deputy undersecretary of the Army.
He is a recipient of numerous awards such as Defense Superior Service Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal and Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.
