David H. Berger
David Hilberry Berger[2] (born December 21, 1959) is a United States Marine Corps four-star general currently serving as the 38th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps.[3]
David H. Berger | |
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Berger in 2019 | |
Born | [1] Dover, Delaware, United States | December 21, 1959
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Marine Corps |
Years of service | 1981–present |
Rank | General |
Commands held | Commandant of the Marine Corps Marine Corps Combat Development Command United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific I Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command 1st Marine Division 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines |
Battles/wars | Gulf War Operation Secure Tomorrow Iraq War War in Afghanistan |
Awards | Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit with Combat V |
Berger holds a BSc in Engineering from Tulane University,[4] and two Master's degrees, one in International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University, and the other in Military Studies.[5][6]
Marine career
Berger is a native of Woodbine, Maryland.[7] Since his commissioning in 1981, he has served in a variety of command and staff billets, including his participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.[8]
Berger was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1981 via NROTC following graduation from Tulane University with a degree in engineering.[2] As a lieutenant and captain, he served as rifle platoon commander in India Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division and later as the company commander and battalion operations officer in 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion during Operation Desert Storm. He also served as officer selection officer in Roanoke, Virginia.
As a field grade officer, Berger was an instructor at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) in Yuma, Arizona; instructor at III MEF Special Operations Training Group; and served on the Joint Staff as a policy planner in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, J-5.
Berger commanded 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines from 2002 to 2004, deploying the battalion first to Okinawa, and later to Haiti in support of Operation Secure Tomorrow. As a colonel, Berger commanded Regimental Combat Team 8 in Fallujah, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
While serving as assistant division commander of 2nd Marine Division, Berger was appointed to the rank of brigadier general. He then deployed to Kosovo, where he served for one year as chief of staff for KFOR Headquarters in Pristina. From 2009 to 2011 he served at Headquarters Marine Corps as the director of operations in plans, policies, and operations. In 2012 he deployed to Afghanistan as the commanding general of 1st Marine Division (forward) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Berger served as commanding general of Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center from 2013 to 2014. In July 2014, Berger was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and assumed command of I Marine Expeditionary Force.[9] He subsequently assumed command of United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. On August 28, 2018, Berger assumed the billets of Commanding General of Marine Corps Combat Development Command and Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration.
In addition to a Bachelor of Science in engineering from Tulane University, Berger holds a Master of International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, and a Master of Science degree in military studies.[8]
Berger's formal military education includes the United States Army Infantry Officer Advanced Course, United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and United States Marine Corps School of Advanced Warfighting. He is a graduate of the United States Army Ranger School, Jumpmaster School, United States Navy Dive School, and United States Marine Corps Amphibious Reconnaissance School.[5][6]
On March 26, 2019, he was nominated by President Donald Trump to succeed General Robert B. Neller and become the 38th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps.[10][11][12] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 5, and took command in a ceremony held July 11 at the Marine Barracks in Washington D.C.[13]
On July 17, 2019, Berger issued his guidance for the Marine Corps: "The Commandant’s Planning Guidance (CPG) provides the 38th Commandant’s strategic direction for the Marine Corps and mirrors the function of the Secretary of Defense’s Defense Planning Guidance (DPG). It serves as the authoritative document for Service-level planning and provides a common direction to the Marine Corps Total Force." [14]
Awards and decorations
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Marine Corps document: "Lieutenant General David H. Berger Biography".
- "United States Public Records, 1970-2009", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KR8R-HSF : 3 December 2019), David H Berger, 2006-2007.
- Jambalaya (PDF). Tulane University. 1981. p. 420. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
- Miller, LCPL Thomas (August 9, 2018). "Lt.Gen. Berger relinquishes command to Lt.Gen. Craparotta". Press Release. Marine Corps Base Hawaii, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2019-05-30.
- "Impression: David Berger" (PDF). Tulanian. Tulane University: 44. September 2019. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
- Harkins, Gina (2019-03-27). "Lt. Gen. David Berger Tapped to Lead Marine Corps". Military.com. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
- Kenney, Caitlin (March 27, 2019). "Lt. Gen. David Berger nominated as next commandant of the Marine Corps". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
- Friel, Lucian (May 24, 2007). "Woodbine, Md. native promoted to brigadier general in Marine Corps". 2nd Marine Division. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
- "I Marine Expeditionary Force Leaders: Lieutenant General David H. Berger". www.imef.marines.mil. Archived from the original on 3 December 2017. Retrieved 2 December 2017.
- McAvoy, Audrey (Associated Press) (2016-08-26). "New Pacific Marine leader vows to keep up work with allies". Marine Corps Times. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
- Snow, Shawn (27 March 2019). "Former recon Marine Lt. Gen. David H. Berger nominated to be next Marine Corps commandant". Marine Corps Times. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
- "President Trump nominates next Commandant of the Marine Corps". Press Release. United States Marine Corps. March 27, 2019. Retrieved 2019-05-30.
- "PN528 — Lt. Gen. David H. Berger — Marine Corps". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- Snow, Shawn (2019-07-10). "Lt. Gen. David H. Berger will become Marine commandant Thursday ― on the Corps' other birthday". Marine Corps Times. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
- "38TH COMMANDANT'S PLANNING GUIDANCE CPG". Retrieved 4 September 2019.
External links
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Military offices | ||
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Preceded by Robert Neller |
Commandant of the Marine Corps 2019–present |
Incumbent |
Order of precedence | ||
Preceded by John E. Hyten as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff |
Order of Precedence of the United States as Commandant of the Marine Corps |
Succeeded by James C. McConville as Chief of Staff of the United States Army |