Gen. Perkins addresses military officers in Plymouth

PLYMOUTH — General David Gerard Perkins discussed a variety of topics during a presentation to the 112 members of the Military Officers Association of America-New Hampshire Chapter and their guests attending the Spring Luncheon at the Common Man Inn and Spa.

Perkins is a native of New Hampshire who went to West Point, graduating in 1980. He completed both Ranger and Airborne Schools, then served in assignments from platoon leader to battalion, brigade, task force, and division commander, as well as many high-level staff and command positions.

During his talk, he described how much the U.S. Military accomplishes, given the extremely small percentage of the population it represents. Perkins said that even personnel from the NATO member countries recognize and strive to match the “professionalism” of the members of our entire armed forces, and said NATO partners are a little jealous of our “Esprit de Corps.”

Perkins commented on how significant contributions by military members are often recognized as they move from military service into civic organizations.

During a question-and-answer session, Gen. Perkins noted the following:

• In broad strokes, less than 70 percent of the recruiting pool of 18-to 25-year-olds even qualify for enlistment.

• It costs about $90,000 to get a recruit through basic training.

• The three biggest disqualifiers are legal problems, mental health issues, and physical fitness issues.

• The effects of Internet and technology on young people’s physical activities and therefore their bone density has proven to be a problem. The Army is now “breaking people in half” during basic training: Hips are fractured because bone densities cannot support the weight of rucksacks on marches.

• Propensity to serve is the key issue. The largest barrier to recruiting is the negative attitudes of uninformed influencers such as school and guidance counselors.

Gen. Perkins served his first assignment as a platoon leader in Germany. During his career, he has served in Germany, Macedonia, Iraq, and the United States. He commanded the 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor, in the 1st Infantry Division from 1996 to 1998, during which the battalion deployed to Macedonia, where Perkins lead a UN mission established at the request of Macedonia to monitor its borders with Albania, Kosovo, and Serbia.

In 1999, Perkins received a master's degree from the Naval War College. In 2003, Perkins commanded the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division during the invasion of Iraq. His unit was the first across the border, and first to enter the downtown government areas of Baghdad.

Gen. Perkins is featured prominently in the book "Thunder Run: The Armored Strike to Capture Baghdad." He was awarded the Silver Star for his part in the invasion.

He served many other high-level positions, including Commander of the Joint Multinational Training Command in Germany; G-3 (Plans, Operations and Training Staff Officer) for US Army Europe and Seventh Army; Director for Strategic Effects (CJ-9) for Multi-national Force-Iraq; Commanding General 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson; Commander of the Combined Arms Center and Commandant of the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth; and on March 14, 2014, Perkins assumed Command of the US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).

On March 9, 2018, he retired during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., returning to New Hampshire.