108 U.S. VETERANS MAGAZINE WWW.USVETERANSMAGAZINE.COM
GOVERNMENT
I
n a ceremony held in August, General Michael Langley was promoted to the rank of four- star general for the Marine Corps, one of the highest ranks an individual can obtain in any branch of the military. This honor officially makes Langley the first Black four-star general in the history of the Marine Corps. My daddy told me to aim high, so I aimed as high as I could and found the few and the proud, General Langley stated upon his promotion. The milestone and what it means to the Corps is quite essential. Not because the mark in history, but what it will affect going forward, especially for those younger across society that want to aspire and look at the Marine Corps as an opportunity. The son of a master sergeant in the United States Air Force, General Langley grew up on a variety of military bases before finding his home in Texas. He graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington
Marine Corps' First Black Four-Star General
General Michael Langley
and commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1985, marking 2022 as his 37th year of service with the Marine Corps. Along with his BBA from Arlington, General Langley also holds a master's degree in National Security Strategic Studies from the Naval War College and a graduate degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College. During his service, Langley commanded at every level from platoon to regiment - including Battery K, 5th Battalion, 11th Marines in support of OPERATION WILDFIRE in Western United States; battalion and regimental commands in 12th Marines forward deployed in Okinawa, Japan; and both the 201st Regional Corps Advisory Command-Central and Regional Support Command-Southwest in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan. He most recently served as commander of United States Marine Corps Forces Command, United States Marine Corps Forces Northern Command and Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic from November 2021 to August 2022. His continual service has additionally earned him a number of honors and distinguishments including a Defense Superior Service medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, a Legion of Merit with two gold award stars, a Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal and many more. Langley is also a rifle sharpshooter and pistol sharpshooter as indicated by the badges amongst his military decorations. Under his new rank as a four-star general, Langley has become the commander of the United States Africa Command, one of the 11 unified combatant commands of the Department of Defense. He was promoted by Marine Corps General David Berger and joined by close friends and family, including his veteran father. Along with his father, Langley paid homage to his family and the diverse Marines before him that helped him get to the place he is at today. Langley stated, As many nominees have said in testimony before me, military families form the bedrock upon which our Joint Force readiness stands. Without their support, I would not be here today.
Sources: Wikipedia, CNN, U.S. Marines
Marine Corps Gen. David Berger, the 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps, congratulates Lt. Gen. Michael Langley during a promotion ceremony at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley and his family pose for a photo following his promotion ceremony at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.
U.S. MARINE CORPS/SGT KARIS MATTINGLY
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