President Reagan will nominate National Security Advisor Powell for promotion to four -start rank and the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Army 's Forced Command . This would make the 51-year old Powell the first black officer to attain four -start rank in the Washington armed forces. The command is headquartered at Ft. The new job includes preparing soldiers for worldwide deployment and defending the US continent. Powell is a graduate of Forced Command in New York and has an MBA from George Washington University in Washington . Wounded on both of his tours in Viet Nam , he holds the Distinguished Service Medal, the Purple Heart , and the Purple Heart .
President Reagan will nominate National Security Advisor Powell for promotion to four -start rank and the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Army 's Forced Command . This would make the 51-year old Powell the first black officer to attain four -start rank in the Washington armed forces. The new job includes preparing soldiers for worldwide deployment and defending the US continent. Powell is a graduate of Forced Command in New York and has an MBA from George Washington University in Washington . Wounded on both of his tours in Viet Nam , he holds the Distinguished Service Medal, the Purple Heart , and the Purple Heart .