Army Reserve two-star to become deputy national security adviser

Maj. Gen. Ricky Waddell has been selected to serve as deputy national security adviser to the president, according to published reports.

Waddell, who heads the Army Reserve's 76th Operational Response Command, would serve under Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, who was tapped for the top post on Feb. 20.

The deputy role is currently held by K.T. McFarland, an ally of retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, who resigned as national security adviser on Feb. 13.

A 1982 graduate of the United States Military Academy, Waddell also holds degrees from Oxford University, Webster University and Columbia University. He spent 12 years on active duty, and his Reserve assignments include posts in U.S. Central Command and U.S. Forces Korea. Prior to taking command of the 76th ORC, Waddell served as deputy commander for mobilization and reserve affairs at U.S. Southern Command.

Waddell served in an advisory capacity on the Russian new-generation warfare study conducted by the Army Capabilities Integration Center. The study was led by Brig. Gen. Pete Jones, commandant of the infantry school and chief of infantry.

Maj. Gen. Bo Dyess said last year that the study was "modeled on" the one conducted by the late Gen. Donn Starry in the aftermath of the Arab-Israeli War of 1973, which ultimately gave rise to the AirLand Battle doctrine.