Army Maj. Gen. Robert L. Edmonson II assumed duties as the 17th commander of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command and senior commander of Aberdeen Proving Ground on August 6, 2021.
As the commanding general for a 9,000-person, two-star global command and senior commander of a 28,000-person military base, Edmonson serves as the U.S. Army’s Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) and medical materiel integrator. He is responsible for enabling the U.S. Army’s warfighting readiness by providing sustainable global C5ISR and medical materiel support.
Edmonson is a native of Willingboro, New Jersey. He graduated from Frostburg State University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing and began his military career in 1991. He also holds a Master of Science Administration in Information Resource Management from Central Michigan University and a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National Defense University. In 2022, he received his Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa from Frostburg State University.
Throughout his 32-year career as an Army officer, Edmonson has served in a variety of command and staff positions at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels. These include serving as Infantry Brigade S-6 within the 82nd Airborne Division where he deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom; Deputy G-6, 82nd Airborne Division; Executive Officer, 82nd Signal Battalion; Senior Military Advisor at NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan in Kabul; G-6/CIO at U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command; and Executive Officer to the Army G-6/CIO. His notable command assignments include A Company, 82nd Signal Battalion; 63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion; 35th Signal Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps; and service as the 38th Chief of Signal/Commandant of the Army Signal School. Edmonson’s most recent position was as the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-6/CIO, U.S. Army Forces Command.
Edmonson is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course, the Signal Officer Advanced Course, the Command and General Staff College, and the National War College. His military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary and Service Medals, Humanitarian Service Medal, NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Ranger Tab, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Joint Staff Identification Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge, and Polish Jump Wings.
Edmonson and his wife, Ellen, have two adult sons.