General Gordon R. Sullivan, United States Army (Retired)
General Gordon Russell Sullivan is a member of the Center for Climate and Security’s Advisory Board.
General Sullivan culminated his service in uniform as the 32nd Chief of Staff of the United States Army—the senior general officer in the army—and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As the Chief of Staff of the Army, Sullivan created the vision and led the team that transitioned the army from its Cold War posture. In August 1993, President Bill Clinton assigned the duties and responsibility of acting Secretary of the Army to Sullivan who continued to serve as Chief of Staff.
During his army career, Sullivan served as: Assistant Commandant, United States Army Armor School at Fort Knox, Kentucky from November 1983 to July 1985; Deputy Commandant, United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas from March 1987 to June 1988; Commanding General, 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized) at Fort Riley, Kansas from June 1988 to July 1989; Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans; and Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1990 to 1991. His overseas assignments included four tours in Europe, two in Vietnam and one in Korea.
Sullivan retired from the United States Army on July 31, 1995 after more than 36 years of active service. The military march “Architect of Victory” was dedicated to him on the occasion of his retirement.
After retiring from the Army he served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) for 18 years, from 1998 thru June 30, 2016. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Norwich University, The Army Historical Foundation and also the Marshall Legacy Project and a member of the CNA Military Advisory Board.
Sullivan was born September 25, 1937, in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in nearby Quincy. He was commissioned a second lieutenant of Armor and awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Norwich University in 1959. He holds a Master of Arts degree in political science from the University of New Hampshire. His professional military education includes the U.S. Army Armor School Basic and Advanced Courses, the Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College.
Sullivan was married to Miriam Gay Sullivan (née Loftus) of Quincy, Massachusetts until her death in 2014; he currently resides in Alexandria, Virginia. He has three children and three grandchildren. He is an avid reader and historian.
