Brig. Gen. Jonathan D. George served in a variety of military and government positions. These include Director of Strategic Capabilities Policy, a member of the National Security Council, and as a national security adviser to the President from March 2009 until February 2011.

In October 2011 George, a Democrat, announced his bid for US Congress against incumbent Congress Todd Young

Todd Young

Todd Christopher Young is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party.- Early life:Young was born was born August 24, 1972, the second of three children of Bruce and Nancy Young. He lived in Marion County for several years before settling in Hamilton County, where he...

 in Indiana's 9th Congressional district.

Early Life and education

George received his bachelor's degree in agronomy and education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public research university located in Carbondale, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1869, SIUC is the flagship campus of the Southern Illinois University system...

 in 1979. He went on to receive a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University

Harvard University

Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...

 in 1990.

Air Force

George stated that he joined the air force because of the Iranian Hostage Crisis. George became a commissioned officer in 1981 and served as a command pilot accumulating more than 4,000 flying hours.. He was promoted to Brigadier General in 2006 and turned down the promotion of major general before his retirement. During his military career, he rose to become a prominent officer who helped to lead transition assistance issues in Afghanistan

Afghanistan

Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...

. He also served on the National Security Council staff as an advisor on key strategic policy issues to President Barack Obama

Barack Obama

Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...

. He retired from the military in February 2011.

Congress

General George announced his bid for US Congress in October 2011. He will face Freshmen Congressmen Todd Young

Todd Young

Todd Christopher Young is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party.- Early life:Young was born was born August 24, 1972, the second of three children of Bruce and Nancy Young. He lived in Marion County for several years before settling in Hamilton County, where he...

in the general election in the newly redrawn 9th Congressional district.