Ralph Baker (general)

Ralph O. "Rob" Baker (born March 21, 1960) is a retired United States Army Brigadier General who was formerly a major general and commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.[1] He was fired from command for misconduct in connection with sexual assault and alcohol abuse charges in March, 2013. He was assessed a fine, demoted to brigadier general, and retired in September, 2013.[2]

Ralph O. "Rob" Baker
Baker as a major general and commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa
Born (1960-03-21) March 21, 1960
Turkey
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1982–2013
RankMajor General (Highest rank held)
Brigadier General (Rank at retirement)
Commands held5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa
Battles/warsOperation urgent Fury
Iraq War
AwardsDefense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal
Other workDirector of Strategic Initiatives, SOS International, LLC
Managing Director, Southern Development Ltd. (SODEVCO)

Early life

Ralph Otto Baker Jr. is a 1978 graduate of Aberdeen High School.[3]

Education

He then attended the United States Military Academy and received a bachelor's degree in 1982.[4] He later earned master's degrees from Central Michigan University and the Naval War College.[4]

Military education

During his Army career, Baker graduated from the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms Services Staff School, and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.[3] He also attended the Airborne, Ranger, Pathfinder, Jumpmaster, Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle and Joint Firepower Control courses.[3]

Start of career

Baker was commissioned a second lieutenant of infantry after graduating from West Point.[4] His assignments included service with the 82nd Airborne Division during its deployment to Grenada. Among his postings were: 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment; 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment; 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized); Deputy G3, V Corps, Heidelberg, Germany.[3]

Additional assignments included Tactical Officer at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, United Kingdom; Aide-de-Camp to the commanding general, I Corps and Fort Lewis; and deputy director for Politico-Military Affairs, J-5 – Middle East, Strategic Plans and Policy, on the Joint Staff.[3] Baker participated in 87 parachute jumps.[3]

He commanded 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment and 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.[3][4]

Career as a general officer

After becoming a brigadier general, Baker served as Deputy Commanding General, United States Division – Center in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.[3] At the time of his promotion to major general, he was vice director for Joint Force Development (J7) on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.[3]

After receiving his second star, Baker served as commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa from 2012 until he retired in 2013.[2] Because he did not have enough time in grade as a major general, Baker's retired rank was brigadier general.[2]

He was relieved of his command in March, 2013, following allegations of sexual misconduct.[2] During an investigation, soldiers serving under Baker at Camp Lemonnier said he had a history of heavy drinking.[2] He paid a fine, was demoted to brigadier general, and retired in September, 2013.[2]

Later career

Baker was employed as Director of Strategic Initiatives for SOS International, LLC.[5] He later worked as Managing Director for Southern Development Ltd. (SODEVCO),a company seeking to develop fuel and mineral processing enterprises in countries including Afghanistan.

Awards

Baker's awards include:[3]

gollark: It turns out there was actually mold growing on a book on one of my chairs.
gollark: PHP bad, yes.
gollark: No number types, just use the second part of a date or something.
gollark: Those aren't that hard in *libraries*, but a date-based esolang might be neat.
gollark: Or an esolang specifically for dates.

References
  1. Megan McCloskey (4 April 2013). "Baker relieved of duties as Task Force-Horn of Africa commander". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  2. Dan Lamothe (1 October 2014). "Army general, accused of sexual assault by senior adviser, retired quietly with demotion". The Washington Post. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
  3. John Hesterly (2 February 2012). "Aberdeen High graduate Baker receives second star". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  4. Laura Caswell (16 February 2011). "Brigadier General Ralph O. Baker: Director for Operational Plans and Joint Force Development, J7" (PDF). Retrieved 28 August 2015.
  5. "Biography, Rob Baker". Our Leadership Team. Dubai, UAE: SODEVCO. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
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