Lieutenant General David P. Fridovich was the Deputy Commander of the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. USSOCOM ensures the readiness of joint special operations forces and, as directed, conducts operations worldwide.
Fridovich graduated from Knox College in 1974 and was commissioned an Infantry Second Lieutenant. After serving as a Rifle and Reconnaissance Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Light Infantry Company Commander with the 172nd Light Infantry Brigade, Fort Richardson, Alaska, he was assigned as an Assistant Professor of Military Science, Norwich University, where he trained the Mountain Cold Weather Cadre and Rescue Team.

In 1984, he completed the Special Forces (SF) Detachment Officer’s Qualification course and reported to the reactivated 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Lewis, Washington, where he served in the 3rd Battalion, commanding both an SF Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) and Bravo (ODB) before becoming the Battalion Operations Officer.

He served as the Senior SF Observer Controller (O/C), and later Chief, Special Operations Division, at the Joint Readiness Training Center. In 1995, he took command of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group and the Special Operations Task Force-Haiti, where his command was involved with Operation UPHOLD DEMOCRACY, in support of the UN Mission in Haiti.

Lt. General Fridovich commanded the Combined/Joint Special Operations Task Force in Operation JOINT FORGE, Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, from January through July 2000. He assumed command of the 1st Special Forces Group in August 2000. He led Army Special Operations Task Force, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM-PHILIPPINES, Zamboanga, Republic of the Philippines from January through June 2002. In January of 2005, Lt. General Fridovich assumed duties as Commander, Special Operations Command, Pacific. He subsequently assumed duties as the Director, Center for Special Operations, USSOCOM in 2007.

He holds a Masters degree in Political Science from Tulane and his military education includes the Command and General Staff College, Joint Forces Staff College, and the British Forces Royal College of Defense Studies of Seaford House, London, England. Lt. General Fridovich has numerous joint and Army awards and decorations.

Lt. General Fridovich is frequently asked to speak publicly about current world events, Veterans Affairs and strategic pathways. He continues to provide advice and assistance in the areas of leader development, organizational effectiveness and strategic planning to Not for Profit organizations, including:

• Knox College, Board Member Trustee
• The Sierra Institute, Senior Board Member
• QuickFind Numbers, Senior Advisor to The Chairman and Founder