As America responds to security threats at home and abroad, perhaps no one is more qualified to discuss our national security than General Hugh Shelton, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Commissioned as a second lieutenant in the infantry through the Reserve Officer Training Corps, he spent the next 38 years in a variety of command and staff positions in the continental United States, Hawaii, and Vietnam, serving two combat tours in Vietnam--the first with the 5th Special Forces Group, the second with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. He also commanded the Third Battalion, 60th Infantry, in the Ninth Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Washington, served as the Ninth Infantry Division's chief of staff for operations, commanded the First Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and was the chief of staff of the Tenth Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York.

Selected for promotion for brigadier general in 1988, General Shelton served two years in the Operations Directorate of the Joint Staff. In 1989, he began a two-year assignment as the assistant division commander for operations of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, during which he participated in the liberation of Kuwait during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. After the Gulf War, General Shelton was promoted to major general, and assumed command of the 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC. In 1993, he was promoted to lieutenant general, and assumed command of the XVIII Airborne Corps. In 1994, during his tenure as Corps commander, General Shelton led the United States Joint Task Force that restored democracy in Haiti. In March 1996, he was promoted to general, and became commander-in-chief of the U.S. Special Operations Command.

General Shelton became the 14th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on October 1, 1997, and served two two-year terms. Throughout his tenure as chairman, U.S. forces were in heavy demand, and participated in numerous joint operations around the globe.

During his tenure, he worked tirelessly on behalf of service members, their families, and military retirees by championing a number of landmark quality-of-life initiatives, including: the largest pay raise in 18 years; pay table and bonus reform; and critical improvements in both retirement and healthcare programs. He made great strides in improving the readiness and retention of the current force, while simultaneously crafting Joint Vision 2020--the roadmap for the Future Joint Force. General Shelton also established the Joint Forces Command to consolidate joint experimentation efforts and guide the transformation of the U.S. armed forces for the twenty-first century.

General Shelton holds a master's degree from Auburn University, and has attended Harvard University, the Air Command and Staff College, and the National War College. He has been decorated for distinguished service by numerous military and civilian organizations in the United States and overseas.

Honored with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest award the United States Congress can bestow, Shelton has been internationally recognized for his public service and, in 2001, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth.

Among his many military awards, he has received four Defense Distinguished Service Medals, two Army Distinguished Service Medals, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, and the Purple Heart. He has also been decorated by 15 foreign governments. Highlights of his civilian awards include North Carolina's highest award for public service; the Eisenhower Award from the Business Executives for National Security; the American Academy of Achievement's Golden Plate Award; the Intrepid Freedom Award; and recognition as a National Father of the Year, among others. 

In a further testament to Gen. Shelton's strong character, determination, and positive attitude, he can also speak about his recovery from the spinal cord injury he suffered after an accident in the spring of 2002. Initially given little chance of walking again or using his hands, he is now close to a full recovery, and continues to be an inspiration to others.

Currently, Gen. Shelton runs the General Shelton Leadership Challenge Institute at North Carolina State University, which provides K-12 and college students the opportunity to develop values-based leadership skills. Incorporating values into curriculum, as well as putting on the summer institutes to teach leadership, he is helping to shape the leaders of tomorrow.

He recently released the book Secrets of Success, a compilation featuring interviews with prominent men and women who focus on values-based leadership. His autobiography, Without Hesitation or Reservation, will be published in 2010.