Lieutenant General Francis L. Donavan has been serving as the Deputy Commander of Special Operations Command (SOCOM) since December 2022. With his new assignment at SOUTHCOM, he has been promoted to General to meet the position’s requirements.
By: La Tabla/Data Journalism Platform 19 DEC 2025
The U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated Marine Corps Lieutenant General Francis L. Donovan for promotion to General and to take command of the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), based in Doral, Florida.
This announcement was made official by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, in a statement that also included several promotions within the ranks of the USMC general officers.
Donovan, currently the Deputy Commander of SOCOM, has an impressive record in expeditionary and special operations units. A graduate of the Naval Academy in 1988, he has commanded the 2nd Marine Division, led forces in the Middle East, and held key positions in JSOC and MARSOC.
His operational profile and experience in high-complexity scenarios position him as a strategic figure in the current hemispheric context.
However, the nomination has raised concerns within military and institutional circles for two main reasons:
🔍 1. Abrupt Replacement of Interim Commander Evan Pettus
Just a week earlier, Air Force Lieutenant General Evan L. Pettus had formally assumed command of SOUTHCOM on Friday, December 12, following Admiral Alvin Holsey’s departure. As the deputy commander, Pettus received the role in an official ceremony, in line with the usual internal succession protocol.
Donovan’s nomination not only replaces him immediately but also omits any mention of Pettus in the presidential announcement. This gesture has been interpreted as an institutional undermining and a break from the transition routines that ensure operational continuity at SOUTHCOM.
⚖️ 2. Donovan Still Lacks Required Rank
The position of SOUTHCOM commander requires the rank of General (four stars). Donovan is currently a Lieutenant General (three stars). The official statement includes his nomination for promotion, which would formally resolve the incompatibility.
Although this is legal, the simultaneous nomination and promotion is uncommon and reinforces the perception that the decision is more politically motivated than rooted in institutional routines. The overlap of the promotion and assignment raises questions about the evaluation process and the urgency behind the appointment.
📌Excerpt from the Official Statement
> “Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Francis L. Donovan for appointment to the grade of general, with assignment as commander, U.S. Southern Command, Doral, Florida. Donovan is currently serving as vice commander, U.S. Special Operations Command, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.”
— Department of War, December 19, 2025
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