John F. Sattler

Prior to his retirement in August 2008, Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler served as Director of Strategic Plans and Policy, U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as the U.S. representative to the Military Staff Committee of the United Nations.

Born and raised in Monroeville, Penn., Lt. Gen. Sattler received his commission as second lieutenant in June 1971, following graduation from the United States Naval Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics.

In February 1972, after completing The Basic School (TBS), he was transferred to 2 Battalion, 4 Marines in Okinawa, where he served as a Rifle Platoon Commander. In 1973, he was assigned to the Reserve Division at Headquarters Marine Corps where he served until his reassignment to Amphibious Warfare School as a student in 1976. Graduating with honors in 1977, he was assigned to The Basic School where he served as a Tactics Instructor, Staff Platoon Commander (SPC), and Infantry Officer Course Instructor.

Following his tour at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Lt. Gen. Sattler returned to 2 Battalion, 4 Marines on Okinawa for duty as Battalion Operations Officer. Upon return to the United States in 1981, he served as Infantry Weapons Procurement Officer at Headquarters Marine Corps until 1985. He graduated with honors from Marine Corps Command and Staff College in 1986, and reported to 2 Marine Division for his third tour with 2nd Battalion, 4 Marines, this time as the Executive Officer.

In 1988, Lt. Gen. Sattler was assigned as Commander, Ground Combat Element for Special Purpose MAGTF 4-88. After serving as J-3, Ground Officer for Joint Operation Solid Shield, he spent one year at Headquarters Marine Corps before being assigned to the Industrial College of Armed Forces (ICAF) at the National Defense University, Washington, D.C. He graduated with distinction in June 1991 and reported for duty as Congressional Liaison Officer to the U.S. House of Representatives. On August 12, 1995, he he took command of 2 Marine Regiment. He was promoted to Brigadier General at his change of command on May 29, 1997 and assumed duties as Assistant Division Commander, 2 Marine Division that same day.

In September 1998, Lt. Gen. Sattler reported to the Joint Staff and assumed duties as the Deputy Director for Operations (Combating Terrorism) J-34. In July 2000, he transferred to Headquarters Marine Corps to assume duties as Director, Public Affairs Division. In July 2001, he assumed duties as the Commanding General of 2 Marine Division at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. In November 2002, he assumed duties as Commander, Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa. In August 2003, he assumed duties as Director of Operations, U.S. Central Command. Sattler was promoted to Lieutenant General and assumed command of I Marine Expeditionary Force on September 12, 2004. On August 3, 2005, Lt. Gen. Sattler assumed the duties as Commander, U.S. Marine Forces Central Command.

On 5 July 2006, the Pentagon announced Sattler's nomination to be the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff's Director of Strategic Plans and Policy. Lieutenant General Sattler relinquished command of the I Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Forces Central Command on August 14, 2006. He was assigned as Director for Strategic Plans and Policy, Joint Staff on September 1, 2006. Lieutenant General Sattler retired effective 1 August 2008.