General David H. Berger, a former United States Marine Corps officer, led the Marine Corps as its 38th commanding officer from 2019 to 2023. On July 10, 2023, he handed over the reins to his associate commanding officer, Eric M .Smith. The Marine Corps is now operating without a Senate-confirmed commander for the first time in more than 150 years.
The Marine Corps is now operating without a Senate-confirmed commander for the first time in more than 150 years. Gen. David H. Berger, who was appointed to the top post in July 2019 and served a four-year term, resigned his post Monday, leaving the position vacant.
Who is David H. Berger?
General David Hilberry Berger, a former United States Marine Corps officer, led the Marine Corps as its 38th commander from 2019 to 2023. Berger has held various command and staff positions since he was commissioned in 1981, including their participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, he earned two master’s degrees, one in international public policy from Johns Hopkins University and the other in military studies. After that, he held numerous command and staff positions throughout his career.
The US Army Infantry Officers Advanced Course, US Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and US Marine Corps Advanced Warfare School are among the official institutions of military education of General Berger.
In addition to a reconnaissance company, Berger oversaw Regimental Combat Team 8 in Fallujah, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines in Haiti during Operation Safe Morning. During Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, he oversaw the 1st Marine Division (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force, US Marine Corps Forces Pacific, US Marine Forces Pacific Fleet and Marine Corps Combat Development Command as a general officer.
He received President Donald Trump’s nomination on March 26, 2019, to take General Robert B. Neller’s place as the 38th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. After being unanimously approved by the US Senate on June 5, he assumed command on July 11 during a ceremony at Marine Barracks in Washington, DC.
Berger’s term as commander ended on July 10, 2023, when he handed over the reins to his associate commander, Eric M. Smith.
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