WEST POINT, N.Y. — Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen Jr. has taken the top command position at West Point during a ceremony Wednesday morning on the campus overlooking the Hudson River.
Caslen officially became the 59th superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy, replacing Lt. Gen. David Huntoon Jr., who is retiring from the U.S. Army after 40 years.
Caslen is a 1975 West Point graduate who has commanded at every level from company through division. Most recently, he was the Chief of the Office of Security Cooperation for Iraq. Caslen had previously served as West Point's commandant, a top academy position in charge of day-to-day operations of the cadets.
He's the first person since 1951 to serve as both commandant and superintendent at the academy, following Maj. Gen Frederick Irving, who had been commandant in 1941-42.
During the change of command ceremony, Caslen was presented the academy colors by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno.
"I am well aware of the great gift that has been given to me today," Caslen said in a statement on the Army's website. "Command is always a privilege. Command in time of war and in the transition of a post-war Army is a distinct honor."
Huntoon had been superintendent since 2010. The 1973 West Point graduate was involved in Operation Desert Storm and was commandant of the U.S. Army War College.
Huntoon was admonished last year after a Department of Defense inspector general report concluded he misused his position, government resources and personnel. The report said he improperly allowed subordinates to give driving lessons, didn't properly compensate those who worked at a charity dinner and misused his position to obtain cat care.
