Charles W. Hooper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Wayne Hooper
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| Born | July 23, 1957 New York City, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1979–2020 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
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| Website | https://www.dsca.mil/ |
Meet Charles Wayne Hooper, born July 23, 1957. He is a retired top leader in the United States Army. From 2017 to 2020, he was the director of an important group called the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
The DSCA helps the U.S. work with other countries. They make sure different nations can protect themselves. This builds strong friendships and partnerships around the world. The agency also helps manage military sales and training programs. They teach people how to work together for safety.
Growing Up and School
Charles Hooper grew up in Willingboro, New Jersey. His dad was a firefighter, and his mom was a teacher. He went to John F. Kennedy High School.
In 1979, he graduated from West Point. This is a famous school for future Army leaders. Later, in 1989, he earned a special degree from Harvard University. While at Harvard, he won an award for being excellent in school and public service. He even gave a speech at his graduation! In 2005, he went back to Harvard to do more research. He also studied at the U.S. Army War College. He even learned Chinese in Hong Kong.
His Army Journey
Charles Hooper joined the Army after West Point in 1979. He started as an infantryman, a soldier who fights on foot. He served in many different places and roles.
- He worked with the 25th Infantry Division.
- He was part of the famous 82nd Airborne Division.
- He helped with Army recruiting.
He also had special jobs related to politics and the military:
- He was an assistant Army representative in China.
- He helped plan Army strategies.
- He worked on policies for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia.
- He led the Army's International Affairs Division.
- He taught at the Naval Postgraduate School.
Hooper became a brigadier general. He was the top U.S. military representative in China. Then, he helped plan strategies for the United States Indo-Pacific Command. He later became a major general. He directed strategy for the United States Africa Command. After that, he was the senior U.S. Defense official in Egypt.
General Hooper was the first "foreign area officer" to lead the DSCA. A foreign area officer is an expert in a specific region or country. They understand its language, culture, and military. He has nearly 20 years of experience helping countries work together. He can speak Mandarin Chinese very well.
