Francis Donovan (general)

Francis L. Donovan is an American general who has served as the commander of the United States Southern Command since 2026. He previously served as vice commander of the United States Special Operations Command from 2022 to 2026 and as the commanding general of the 2nd Marine Division from 2020 to 2022.

Donovan entered the United States Marine Corps in 1986 and served as an infantry, reconnaissance, and special operations officer. He was the executive officer of the Marine Corps Special Operations Detachment One from 2005 to 2006. His notable commands have included the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade. He was also assistant commanding general of the Joint Special Operations Command from 2018 to 2020.

Early life and education

His father was a United States Navy chief. Donovan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in geography from Towson University. He later received a Master of Military Studies degree from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College at Marine Corps University and a Master of Strategic Studies degree the United States Army War College. He also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Marine career

Donovan entered the United States Marine Corps in 1986, becoming an infantry and reconnaissance officer. His commands included a Force Reconnaissance platoon, a Marine Corps Security Forces Detachment in Crete, Greece, a Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST) platoon, and a recruiting station in eastern Pennsylvania. He also served as the commander of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines.

As a lieutenant colonel, Donovan served as executive officer of Marine Corps Special Operations Command Detachment One (Det One) from 16 April 2005 to 10 March 2006. As a colonel, Donovan took command of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit on 6 May 2011 and led it during a nine-month deployment that included training exercises in Africa and the Middle East. The unit was also on stand-by to provide security at American embassies in the region during the Arab Spring. He relinquished command on 21 March 2013. His next assignment was as the Director of the Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico, Virginia. Donovan also served as the J35 at the United States Special Operations Command and the Joint Staff; and the J5 Plans Directorate as Division Chief, Transregional Threats Coordination Cell.

As a brigadier general, Donovan spent two years as the Commanding General of Naval Amphibious Forces, Task Force 51 / 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (known as Task Force 51/5). He assumed command of Task Force 51/5, the forward element of the Marine Corps Forces Central Command, on 24 June 2016 in Manama, Bahrain, succeeding Maj. Gen. Carl Mundy III. Donovan relinquished command to Brig. Gen. Matthew Trollinger on 3 July 2018. His next assignment was as assistant commanding general, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

He served as the commanding general of the 2nd Marine Division from 2020 to 2022, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. After division command, he served as the director of Marine Corps Communication. In September 2022, Donovan was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general with assignment as vice commander, U.S. Special Operations Command. He was confirmed 15 December 2022.

SOUTHCOM commander

In December 2025, President Donald Trump nominated him for promotion to four-star general and appointment as commander, United States Southern Command. On 3 January 2026, the Senate returned his nomination to the president without action. His nomination was re-sent to the Senate on 8 January 2026, and confirmed on 30 January 2026. He assumed command on 5 February 2026, succeeding acting commander Lt. Gen. Evan Pettus.

On 18 February 2026, Donovan and U.S. chargé d'affaires to Venezuela Laura F. Dogu met with officials of the Venezuelan interim government—weeks after the U.S. intervention in Venezuela—to discuss the security situation and President Donald Trump's plan for the stabilization of the country. From 1–2 March 2026, he visited Ecuador to discuss security cooperation with President Daniel Noboa and senior defense officials. During the 2026 Cuban crisis, he told the Senate on 19 March 2026 that the U.S. military is not rehearsing or actively preparing to invade Cuba. Donovan visited Panama from 30 March–1 April, where he met President José Raúl Mulino and other officials to discuss cooperation.

Awards and decorations

Dates of promotion

Personal life

Donovan is married to Kim, a retired Navy officer, and they have two children.

External links

• Media related to Francis L. Donovan at Wikimedia Commons