Military sources: New US commander for Iraq

[Newsjock]

Source: Associated Press

The senior U.S. general in Iraq since 2008, Gen. Ray Odierno, will be succeeded by a leading Pentagon general at the end of the summer, military officials said Monday.

His replacement is Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin, the staff director for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the officials said.

Military officials spoke about the change on condition of anonymity because the announcement has not been made.

... Odierno's son, Lt. Anthony Odierno, lost an arm while leading a patrol in Iraq in 2004.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/04/12/national/w140154D68.DTL&tsp=1

[ManiacJoe]

1. Standard change of command...

... is what, every 1.5 years? If so, this would be the scheduled time.

[Lurks Often]

2. It varies

The amount of time a person remains in command of a specific unit or assignment in the military varies, but I have seen nothing at this point to indicate that this is anything but a routine change of command.