Army officials recently announced that former 3rd Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Tony Cucolo will serve as the director of Force Development in Washington, D.C. Cucolo took command of the 3rd ID on July 14, 2008, and passed command to Maj. Gen. Abe Abrams on April 15.

The Force Development office falls under the Army Deputy Chief of Staff (G-8), according to 3rd ID public affairs.

"Its mission is to equip the Army through a balanced investment program in accordance with Army strategy and priorities to provide soldiers and units the right and modern equipment to succeed in current and future full spectrum operations," according to a public affairs news release.

Cucolo served for 33 months at Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield following a two-year tour as chief of public affairs for the Army at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

He deployed to Iraq with the 3rd ID Headquarters in October 2009. There, the former 3rd ID commander assumed command of U.S. Division-North and Task Force Marne. He was responsible for U.S. forces operating in seven Iraqi provinces north of Baghdad.

After Cucolo left Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield but prior to his new assignment, he served as a special assistant to the Army vice chief of staff, according to Fort Stewart spokesman Kevin Larson.

Former U.S. Army Forces Commanding Gen. James Thurman officiated at Cucolo’s change-of-command ceremony in April. Thurman then described Cucolo as
a "soldier’s general" and lauded him for his "outstanding leadership."

Thurman assumed command of United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea last week. He succeeded a former 3rd ID commander, Army Gen. Walter L. "Skip" Sharp. Sharp commanded the 3rd ID at Fort Stewart from December 1999-December 2001.

For the past three years, Sharp had led United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command and U.S. Forces Korea, according to a story released Thursday by 8th U.S. Army.

Sharp reportedly urged North Korea to seek peace and end its provocations and aggressive behavior after the attack on the South Korean navy ship Cheonan and shelling of Yeonpyeong Island, according to the report.

Sharp, 58, will retire later this year after having served in the military for 37 years.