David Petraeus' next tough assignment will be in the trenches of academia.

The University of Southern California announced Thursday that the retired general and former CIA director is joining the faculty to teach classes and mentor ROTC members.

Petraeus, who has a doctorate from Princeton University, says in a statement that USC is "a great university that prizes academic excellence."

It's the second teaching appointment for the hero of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

It was announced last month that he'll be a visiting professor at the City University of New York.

At USC, Petraeus will hold the title of Judge Widney Professor, which is named for the university's founder and is reserved for eminent teachers.

Petraeus left the CIA in November after acknowledging an extramarital affair with his biographer, Paula Broadwell.