Adm. Alvin Holsey, commander of U.S. Southern Command, speaking at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee at the U.S. Capitol.  Michael Brochstein/Sipa USA via AP Images INTRODUCTION In an unexpected announcement that rippled through the defense community, Admiral Alvin Holsey —one of the Navy’s most respected and operationally tested leaders, the man running U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)—has chosen to step down early. His retirement, described officially as a “p