Marine Corps Cyber Commander Chosen for Top DIA Post

By Terri Moon Cronk

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2015 – The first Marine Corps officer to lead the Defense Intelligence Agency will take command later this month, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren told reporters today.

Maj. Gen. Vincent R. Stewart will be promoted to lieutenant general just prior to assuming command of the agency in a Jan. 23 ceremony at DIA’s Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling headquarters here, Warren said.

In addition to being the first Marine to hold the position, he added, Stewart will be DIA’s first African-American commander.

Background in Cyber and Intelligence

Stewart now serves as commander of Marine Forces Cyber Command, and before that, he was the intelligence director for Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps, Warren said.

“A distinguished intelligence professional and dedicated warfighter, Major General Stewart brings a wealth of talent and leadership to the Defense Intelligence Agency and the nation’s intelligence community across the agencies and organizations,” Warren said.

The Senate confirmed Stewart for the DIA director position Dec. 11, 2014, he added.