David H. Berger

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David H. Berger
Gen. David H. Berger.jpg
Berger in 2019
Born (1959-12-21) December 21, 1959 (age 62)[1]
Dover, Delaware, United States
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Marine Corps
Years of service1981–present
RankGeneral
Commands heldCommandant 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/warsGulf War
Operation Secure Tomorrow
Iraq War
War in Afghanistan
AwardsDefense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with Combat V

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]

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] He graduated from Glenelg High School in 1977.[8] 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.[9]

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.[10] 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.[9]

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.[11][12][13] 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.[14]

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."[15] Highlights include refocusing the Marine Corps on high-end combat, shifting away from legacy platforms like tanks and artillery in favor of long-range missiles and drones.[16][17]

On January 17, 2022, it was announced that Berger, alongside Joint Chiefs chairman Mark Milley, had tested positive for COVID-19. His spokesperson, Colonel Kelly Furshour stated that the discharge of his duties would be unaffected by this development.[18][19][20]

Awards and decorations[]

USAF - Occupational Badge - Scuba.svg
U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia-redone.png
US Defense Superior Service Medal ribbon.svg
V
Gold star
Gold star
Gold star
Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svgBronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svgBronze-service-star-3d-vector.svgBronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg
Bronze star
Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svgBronze-service-star-3d-vector.svgBronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg
Bronze star
Bronze star
 Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svgBronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg
Global War on Terrorism Service ribbon.svg Korea Defense Service ribbon.svg
Bronze star
 Silver-service-star-3d.svgSilver-service-star-3d.svg
Bronze star
 Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait) ribbon.svg
USMC Rifle Expert badge.png USMC Pistol Expert badge.png
Joint Chiefs of Staff seal (2).svg
SCUBA Diver Badge
Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia
Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit with Combat V Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal with one gold award star
Joint Service Commendation Medal Navy Commendation Medal with award star Combat Action Ribbon with award star Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Navy Unit Commendation with two bronze service stars Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with three service stars National Defense Service Medal with service star Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal with three service stars Kosovo Campaign Medal with service star Afghanistan Campaign Medal with service star Iraq Campaign Medal with two service stars
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Korea Defense Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal with service star Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with ten service stars
Marine Corps Recruiting Service Ribbon NATO Medal Non-Article 5 for the Balkans with service star Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Expert Rifle Badge (5th award) Expert Pistol Badge (2nd award)
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

References[]

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Marine Corps document: "Lieutenant General David H. Berger Biography".

  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ a b Jambalaya (PDF). Tulane University. 1981. p. 420. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "Impression: David Berger" (PDF). Tulanian. Tulane University: 44. September 2019. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  5. ^ a b Harkins, Gina (2019-03-27). "Lt. Gen. David Berger Tapped to Lead Marine Corps". Military.com. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  6. ^ a b Kenney, Caitlin (March 27, 2019). "Lt. Gen. David Berger nominated as next commandant of the Marine Corps". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 2019-08-03.
  7. ^ Friel, Lucian (May 24, 2007). "Woodbine, Md. native promoted to brigadier general in Marine Corps". 2nd Marine Division. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
  8. ^ Trobridge, Tracy (May 2, 2019). "Glenelg grad reaching highest levels of Marines". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  9. ^ a b "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.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ "President Trump nominates next Commandant of the Marine Corps". Press Release. United States Marine Corps. March 27, 2019. Retrieved 2019-05-30.
  13. ^ "PN528 — Lt. Gen. David H. Berger — Marine Corps". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "38TH COMMANDANT'S PLANNING GUIDANCE CPG". Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  16. ^ "Early Experiments are Proving Out Tank-Free Marine Corps Concept". USNI News. 2021-02-10. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
  17. ^ Gordon, Michael R. (22 March 2020). "WSJ News Exclusive | Marines Plan to Retool to Meet China Threat". Wall Street Journal.
  18. ^ Hassan, Adeel (January 17, 2022). "Gen. Mark Milley, Joint Chiefs Chairman, Tests Positive for Covid". The New York Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  19. ^ Altman, Howard (January 18, 2022). "Milley, Berger, test positive for COVID-19". Military Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  20. ^ Mahshie, Abraham (January 17, 2022). "Joint Chiefs' Milley and Berger Test Positive for COVID-19". Air Force Times. Retrieved January 19, 2022.

External links[]

Military offices
Preceded by Commanding General of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Training Command
2013-2014 		Succeeded by
Commanding General of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center
2013-2014
Preceded by Commanding General of the I Marine Expeditionary Force
2014–2016
Commanding General of the United States Marine Corps Forces Pacific
2016–2018
Preceded by
 Commanding General of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command
2018–2019 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commandant of the Marine Corps
2019–present 		Incumbent
Order of precedence
Preceded byas Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Order of precedence of the United States
as Commandant of the Marine Corps 		Succeeded byas Chief of Staff of the United States Army
Retrieved from ""