Craig Whelden retired from the U.S. Army on 1 January 2004 after 30 years of service.

His last assignment was as Deputy Commander of U.S. Army, Pacific. From 1998-2000, Whelden served as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army's Community and Family Support Center. He commanded at all levels from Captain to Brigadier General and was the first-ever former garrison commander in the Army to be selected for Brigadier General and subsequently, Major General.

Whelden currently serves on a number of boards and is an independent consultant. In February 2008, he was asked by the Army to lead a Task Force to plan and implement a Secretary of the Army initiative called Community Covenant – a project designed to bring America's communities closer to the U.S. Army soldiers and their families.