Jeff Kruse, USAF three-star general and PHS graduate, presented the first annual Kruse Leadership Award to Leah Beck, PHS ‘23, at the Friday, May 19 school awards ceremony. Kruse and his wife, Susie, created the award to honor PHS seniors who show outstanding leadership and service to others.– courtesy photo
Jeffrey A. Kruse, a lieutenant general (three stars) in the United States Air Force and 1986 Pettisville High School graduate, has been tabbed to head the Defense Intelligence Agency.
The DIA website states it provides “intelligence on foreign militaries to prevent and decisively win wars.”
The DIA director post rotates among the four service branches about every three years. The DIA website states the director is the “principal adviser to the Secretary of Defense and to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on matters of military intelligence.”
Nomination
Joe Biden, U.S. president, nominated Kruse to the post, which was announced in a Wednesday, May 31 press release from the Department of Defense.
Kruse’s appointment must be approved by the Senate.
However, Tommy Tuberville, U.S. senator (R-Ala.), has placed a hold on all presidential nominations over the DoD policy of paying to transport female personnel from one state to another to access abortion services.
Tuberville’s hold impacts more than 200 nominations.
Award
In a related item, Kruse and his wife Susie were in Pettisville, Friday, May 19, to present the first Kruse Leadership Award.
The award was created by the couple through the Pettisville School Foundation, and is to be given annually to the PHS senior who has exhibited outstanding leadership and service to others.
The award carries a $1,500 stipend-scholarship.
The inaugural award went to Leah Beck, PHS ‘23.
He was also presented with a copy of the sign that PSF sponsored at the town limits. The signs honor outstanding accomplishments by PHS students and alumni.
Other honorees include Lincoln Cobb, who won the 1991 state track championship as a team of one, and Caleb, Joshua, and Bekah Liechty, the siblings of the musical group “Girl Named Tom,” who won a television music competition, and have been on tour.