MG Potter (Honorary), Commanding General, HQ USNDC

Colonel Joseph V. Potter, USAF (ret)
Brigadier General Joseph V. Potter, VSM (ret)

Joseph V. Potter received his military commission through Air Force ROTC and was designated a Distinguished Military Graduate from San Diego State University in 1963. He earned 3 master’s degrees from the University of Colorado, Pepperdine University, the University of Hawaii and completed all coursework leading to a doctorate (ABD) in Educational Administration from Penn State University. He is a graduate of Squadron Officers School, Air Command and Staff College, Air War College, National Defense University, Naval War College courses and the Joint Battle Staff Course for senior military officers.

Colonel Potter retired from the U.S. Air Force with 28 years of service and accepted a commission with the Vermont State Militia from the Governor as a Brigadier General. He served at Norwich University, the nation’s oldest (1819) private military college (a “mini-West Point) as Vice President, Commandant of Cadets and National Services Academic Division Chairman. He is currently serving as a senior advisor to the Lao-Hmong American Coalition and to the Lao-Hmong SGU (Secret Guerilla Unit) veterans. After serving as National Commander of the United States Volunteers (USV), he was appointed as National Commander of the United States Vietnamese-American Volunteer Alliance (USVAVA): www.hqusvava.com and National Commanding General of the United States National Defense Corps: www.usndcorps.org

Colonel Potter served 3 tours of duty in Vietnam (1967 – 1972) and flew over 400 combat missions. Having attended Basic Airborne Training at Fort Benning, GA and Jumpmaster School at Fort Bragg, NC, he is a Master Parachutist with over 250 tactical and high altitude, low-opening (HALO) parachute jumps. His joint military assignments included the 1st Infantry Division, 1st Australian Task Force, U.S. Special Forces, 25th Infantry Division, III Mobile Armored Corps, Combined Field Army (ROK/US) in Korea and Joint Task Force – Panama, where he served as Deputy Commander for over 2 years and participated in his 4th combat tour in Operation: JUST CAUSE, the U.S. invasion of Panama, the capture of General Noriega and the restoration of democracy to Panama. He has served in joint assignments, with the U.S. Army, from battalion, brigade, division, corps and echelon-above-corps and had command authority over 15,000 Marines, Navy, Air Force and Army combat forces as Deputy Commander, JTF-Panama. He was a jet fighter pilot with over 4,000 flying hours in the Cold War, Vietnam, Korea and Panama.

Colonel Potter’s military decorations and awards include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, 21 Air Medals, Joint Service Meritorious Service Medal, 7 Meritorious Service Medals, 2 Air Force Commendation Medals, 2 Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, 9 Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards w/ “V” device, Combat Readiness Medal, 2 National Defense Service Medals, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, 2 Air Force Overseas Short Tour Medals, 3 Air Force Overseas Long Tour Medals, 6 Air Force Longevity Service Ribbons, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, 3 Vietnam Crosses of Gallantry w/Palm and 2 Silver Stars, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Korea Defense Minister’s Award, Korea Defense Service Medal, Republic of China Mutual Defense Badge, Republic of China Badge of Honor, Royal Laotian Badge of Honor and SGU Honor Badge. Additionally, he has received the Order of the Silver Rose Medal (for Vietnam Veterans who have suffered Agent Orange-related cancer), Military Emergency Management Credentials from the State Guard Association of the United States, the American Legion Medal of Valor and the President’s Volunteer Service pin from the USA Freedom Corps .

Colonel Potter has a black belt in Judo and mixed martial arts (Judo, Aikido and Karate), was enshrined in the American Legion Roll of Honor (for receiving the Silver Star in battle) and was selected to the Outstanding Young Men of America in 1968 and 1972. He is a member of INFRAGARD, the FBI’s national anti-terrorist network, a LIFE MEMBER of the VFW, DAV, FAC Association and belongs to many other veterans organizations.  Colonel Potter was selected by the VA, VISN 19, to serve on the MIRECC Advisory Board (Mental Illness Research Education & Clinical Center-Suicide Prevention) as a Veteran Advisor.