The 38th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps (CMC)

General David Berger

 

Responsibilities 

• As Commandant of the Marine Corps, Berger is responsible for the service’s performance, including its training, administration, efficiency, discipline, and readiness. He reports to the Navy Secretary, and advises the president, the Defense Secretary, the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council.
• Berger assumed the duties of commandant in July 2019, during an era of global power changes, emerging rogue states, and new data-centric technologies all driving defense strategies across multiple domains. 
• In a 26-page report entitled “Force Design 2030”, Berger outlined his plans to restructure the Marines, saying that “we should take pride in our force and recent operational successes, but the current force is not organized, trained or equipped to support the naval force — operating in contested maritime spaces, facilitating sea control or executing distributed maritime operations. We must change.”

Military Career

• A career infantry officer with extensive Middle East and Western Pacific experience, Berger has commanded at every level, including the 3d Battalion, 8th Marines (2003-2004), deploying 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. 
• As a general officer, he commanded 1st Marine Division (Forward) in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom (2012). 
• Commanded the California-based I Marine Expeditionary Force and later Marine Corps Forces Pacific (2016), where he oversaw troops in Japan, Australia, Guam, and other locations in the region. 
• Commanding General, Marine Air-Ground Task Force Training Command, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (2013-2014). Received his third star in 2014. 
• Staff and joint assignments include: serving as policy planner in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, J-5; chief of staff for Kosovo Force for KFOR Headquarters in Pristina, Kosovo; and director of operations in plans, policies, and operations headquarters, Marine Corps. (2009-2011). 

Education

• Tulane University – B.S. in Engineering (1981). While there, he played on the lacrosse team. After graduation, Berger was commissioned in the Marine Corps as an infantry officer. 
• Holds a Master of International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, and an M.S. in Military Studies.
• Military education includes warrior schools such as Army Ranger School, the Navy Dive School, and Marine Corps Amphibious Reconnaissance School, from which he earned the reputation as the “dual cool” one—a term used to describe Marines who have graduated from both jump and dive school. 

Personal

• David Hillberry Berger was born December 21, 1959, in Dover, Del, and raised in Woodbine, Md. Married to Donna (nee) Berger. Four children.

Honors/Awards

• The Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal, among others.