 Paxton next served as the Chief of Staff to the commander of Multi-National Force - Iraq.Advanced to lieutenant general in 2008, Paxton served initially as Director, Strategic Plans and Policy (J-5) on the Joint Staff, then was nominated and confirmed to the Operations Directorate (J-3), where he served until appointment as CG, II MEF; and CG, Marine Forces, Africa.Before departing the Pentagon, Paxton also served as interim director, The Joint Staff.