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SOUTHCOM Leadership and Staff

The official photo of Adm. Alvin Holsey, commander of U.S. Southern Command.

Adm. Alvin Holsey Commander, U.S. Southern Command

Official photo of Lt. Gen. Evan L. Pettus, Military Deputy Commander of U.S. Southern Command.

Lt. Gen. Evan L. Pettus Military Deputy Commander, U.S. Southern Command

Posed photo of a woman in a dark blue suit with flags in the background

Amb. Stephanie Syptak-Ramnath Civilian Deputy to the Commander

Official photo of Sgt. Maj. Rafael Rodriguez, U.S. Southern Command Senior Enlisted Leader.

Sgt. Maj. Rafael Rodriguez Command Senior Enlisted Leader

Official bio photo of Maj. Gen. Julie L. Nethercot, Chief of Staff, U.S. Southern Command.

Maj. Gen. Julie L. Nethercot Chief of Staff, U.S. Southern Command

Official biography photo of Army Maj. Gen. Javier A. Reina, Deputy Commander for Mobilization & Reserve Affairs.

Maj. Gen. Javier A. Reina Deputy Commander for Mobilization & Reserve Affairs

Official bio photo of CWO5 Cándido M. Crespo.

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Cándido M. Crespo Command Chief Warrant Officer

Directorates and Staff

Directorates are the functional divisions within SOUTHCOM. Each directorate is charged to support or manage an aspect of the mission. Click on the links below to learn more about each directorate.

Photo pending Director J1 Manpower & Personnel: Army Col. Gina Pistone

Official photo of Army Brig. Gen. Kristina J. Green Director J2 Intelligence: Army Brig. Gen. Kristina J. Green

Director J3 Operations: Coast Guard Rear Adm. Brendan C. McPherson

Marine Col. Douglas R. Burke, Director J4 Director J4 Logistics: Marine Col. Douglas R. Burke

Director J5 Strategy, Policy, and Plans: Air Force Maj. Gen. Julian C. Cheater

Bio Photo: Army Col. Anne-Marie R. Wiersgalla Director J6 Communication Systems: Army Col. Anne-Marie R. Wiersgalla

Photo pending J7-9-Exercises-and-Coalition-Affairs-Directorate: VACANT

Photo of Dr. Carlos Braziel Director J8 Resources & Analysis: Dr. Carlos Braziel

Congressional Affairs Chief: Katherine M. Barton

Army Col. Eric W. Nylander, IG SOUTHCOM Inspector General: Army Col. Eric W. Nylander

Official bio photo of Colonel Paul F. Meagher Staff Judge Advocate: Marine Corps Col. Paul F. Meagher

Official biography photo of Army Col. Manny Ortiz Public Affairs Chief: Army Col. Manny Ortiz

Chaplain: Navy Capt. Santiago Rodriguez

Command Surgeon: Air Force Col. Brian H. Neese

OUR PRIORITIES

Strengthen Partnerships

Counter Threats

LATEST FROM SOUTHCOM

USNS Comfort Arrives in Dominican Republic for CP25
July 16, 2025

SOUTHERN STAR ’25: 27th Special Operations Wing projects power with partners in Chile
July 14, 2025

USNS Comfort Departs Ecuador After Third CP25 Mission Stop
July 14, 2025

USNS Comfort Arrives in Manta, Ecuador
July 7, 2025