General John W. Nicholson, Jr., USA (Ret.), "Mick," former Commander of U.S. Forces - Afghanistan and NATO Resolute Support Mission, gave the keynote address at IWP Commencement on May 18. 2019 at the Fairmont Hotel.
The Institute of World Politics awarded him with a Doctorate of Laws, Honoris Causa.
In over 36 years of active duty, General Nicholson has been widely admired as a uniquely skilled “warrior-diplomat.” He is the longestserving commander of the Afghan War, having led the 41-nation NATO Resolute Support Mission and United States Forces-Afghanistan for two and a half years. His leadership and close relations with Afghan leaders were key to brokering the first ceasefire in the 17-year war and helped enable the launch of the current peace initiative. He commanded 22,000 Coalition forces and closely advised the 330,000-member Afghan National Security Forces, with a budget in excess of $17 billion.
His six years deployed in Afghanistan make him one of the most combat seasoned four-star generals in American military history. He served in Kabul as the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Deputy Chief of Staff for operations, in Kandahar as the Deputy Commander of ISAF’s regional Command South, and in Jalalabad and Khost as the Commander of Task Force Spartan, responsible for Eastern Afghanistan Central Command.
His decorations include two awards of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, two awards of the Army Distinguished Service Medal, five awards of the Defense Superior Service Medal, three awards of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star medal, and the Bronze Star medal with V device for Valor. He is a Ranger, Master Parachutist, Pathfinder, and has two awards of the combat Infantryman’s badge as well as the Expert Infantryman’s Badge.
Among multiple international awards, he has been presented Afghanistan’s highest award given to non-Afghans, the Amir Amanullah Khan Award, France’s Legion D’Honneur, and Germany’s Gold Cross of Honor.
General Nicholson received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy where he was the First Captain, Commander of the Corps of Cadets. He also received a Master of Arts degree in Operational Art from the School for Advanced Military Studies, and a Master of Arts in National Security Studies from the National War College.
General Nicholson is originally from Baltimore, Maryland and is married to Ms. Norine MacDonald QC. He has two children, 2LT Caroline Nicholson, U.S. Army Reserve, and John W. Nicholson III, a Master’s student in Military History at Kings College of London.
Video by Adam Savit, Center for Security Policy
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