Thomas becomes 11th SOCOM Commander
Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel, former commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, passes the guidon to Secretary of Defense, Ashton Carter, during the change-of-command ceremony March 30, 2016, at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. Newly promoted Army Gen. Raymond “Tony” Thomas assumed command of USSOCOM and Votel will become the commander of U.S. Central Command. (Courtesy photo)