The Marines have already mothballed hundreds of Abrams tanks, warehoused several helicopter squadrons, and are rapidly swapping cannons for rocket artillery. It was simply his last summer as a civilian, a summer that included a Birthright trip followed by a visit with his older sister in Tel Aviv. <> I have instituted even more rigorous policies than previously existed to ensure we identify such individuals during enlistmentand accession screening, I remain committed to identifying and holding accountableany Marine unable to uphold our core values.. 39 0 obj Without them, Marines today are less capable than two decades ago., In a Marine Corps Times op-ed, Van Riper bemoaned that the Corps will have more space experts, cyber warriors, influence specialists, missileers and others with unique skills than Marines prepared to close with and destroy the enemy.. A native of Woodbine, Maryland, General Berger graduated from Tulane University and was commissioned in 1981. After high school he attended college for two years while Nathan pursued firefighting and Stephen began working in network engineering. 1 Introduction Chairwoman McCollum, Ranking Member Calvert, and distinguished members of the subcommittee, 2023-03-03T09:54:52-08:00 "He had an innate ability to communicate smoothly and articulately under stress, and definitely stood out among junior officers," he said. [10] He subsequently assumed command of United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. "United States Public Records, 1970-2009", database, FamilySearch (, Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, MSC Student Conference on National Affairs, Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KR8R-HSF, "Lt.Gen. Getting rid of hundreds of tanks and amphibious vehicles saved about $3 billion, all of which was pumped back into new precision missiles and upgrades for infantry units. General Bergers staff and joint assignments include serving as Assistant Division Commander of 2d Marine Division; policy planner in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, J-5; Chief of Staff for Kosovo Force (KFOR) Headquarters in Pristina, Kosovo; and Director of Operations in Plans, Policies, and Operations, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration. By General David H. Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps. The only man to go on trial has been a persistent critic of the Marine Corps leadership. Do you rely on The Times of Israel for accurate and insightful news on Israel and the Jewish world? All rights reserved. "I think this is a really important strategic inflection point for the Marine Corps as well.". Zeff isnt the first in his family to serve. <> The cost of freedom isnt a hollow cliche, its accountability and integrity from officials. Berger was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1981 via NROTC following graduation from Tulane University with a degree in engineering. 1 opioid consumer per capita, Israel faces addiction epidemic, Obama, Spielberg and Springsteen dazzle Barcelona restaurant, US House Speaker McCarthy: If Biden doesnt invite Netanyahu soon, I will, The dictator and I: A visit to Turkmenistan reveals the limits of Israeli diplomacy, Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a TV show? endobj I knew Id regret it if I didnt do it now. Thats what America and the fallen heroes in Kabul deserve. He has commanded Marines in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring. 6 0 obj Wikipedia David Hilberry Berger (born December 21, 1959) is a United States Marine Corps general currently serving as the 38th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community. Berger currently serves as the commanding general of Marine Corps Combat Development Command. Of the Jews who serve, about 1% serve in the Marine Corps. Webb, in his Wall Street Journal op-ed, first disclosed the existence of the group. one-third of one percent of the US military, Already a member? 14 0 obj In the 30 years since leaving the Marine Corps, he still considers Berger a role model. endobj A native of Woodbine, Maryland, General Berger graduated from Tulane University and was commissioned in 1981. "He's seen American policy at the strategic level, he's been an operational commander clearly, and he's been well educated about strategy and military history, so he brings all those things to bear in this position as commandant," she said. 38 0 obj That has carried forward throughout Berger's career. General Bergers staff and joint assignments include serving as Assistant Division Commander of 2d Marine Division; policy planner in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, J-5; Chief of Staff for Kosovo Force (KFOR) Headquarters in Pristina, Kosovo; and Director of Operations in Plans, Policies, and Operations, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration. endobj Bergers efforts are the result of a lot of years looking at the evolving threat environment and the impact of technology said Dakota Wood, senior research fellow for defense programs at The Heritage Foundation. to it. [5] He graduated from Glenelg High School in 1977. endobj 1 Click the link in that email to complete registration so you can comment. Zeffs attitude has paid off. More than three decades have passed since Tim DeBoda served with Marine Lt. Gen. David Berger, but he still calls him one of the best leaders he has ever known. "I'm excited to see someone with recent experience in the Pacific being nominated for this post because I think it's really important for the Marine Corps to return to some of its core mission areas after 17 years of war in the Middle East," Magsamen said. Maneuvering is more difficult because things can be spotted, logistic lines are going to be much more challenging to maintain and so when youre faced with this kind of new battlefield, wouldnt you want the force to be less logistically intensive and more maneuverable?. The 38th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, General David H. Berger, and the 19th Sergeant Major of the U.S. Marine Corps, Sgt. He commanded at every level including a Reconnaissance Company; 3d Battalion, 8th Marines in Haiti during Operation SECURE TOMORROW; Regimental Combat Team 8 in Fallujah, Iraq during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Will history repeat after PM gets McCarthy invite to DC? Zeffs parents, stepparents, brothers Zeff is a triplet and girlfriend all attended his graduation. <> <>/MediaBox[0 0 612 792]/Parent 13 0 R/Resources<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI]>>/StructParents 31/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> (Courtesy), Zachary Zeff stands in front of a sign pointing to Jerusalem, Rosh Hanikra, and Beirut. The changes are part of a wider rethinking of how the military is funded and structured to meet China and Russia, which are challenging post-Cold War U.S. military dominance. Changes to the Marine Corps spearheaded by Commandant Gen. David Berger represent a fundamental shift in how the Corps equips its troops and goes to war. ON THE POSTURE OF THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS . 3 0 obj Much like on campus, being accused of unintentional offense was a hanging crime. Bizarrely enough, Berger began his presentation, not with the threats to the United States that the Marine Corps existed to fight, but by declaring that, our nation has engaged in a long overdue conversation on race and social justice sparked by several visible incidents of institutional racism. [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: 2023-03-03T09:54:52-08:00 Click the link in that email to complete your registration. 29 0 obj At the forefront of that, she added, will be challenges with China. After the horror, he claimed that he wanted an honest, open critique of what happened in Afghanistan. When General David H. Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps, testified before the House Subcommittee on Defense at the end of April, he did not refer to Afghanistan. But that wasn't the case for Berger. A fresh look at Israels founding moral compass, 2023 The Times of Israel , All Rights Reserved, Private First Class Zachary Zeff is one of the only Jewish Marines. Troy E. Black, take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Philippines, Sept. 5, 2022. They're a hoot," he said at his promotion ceremony. <>13]/P 24 0 R/Pg 189 0 R/S/Link>> Lawmakers arent the only ones who back Bergers plan. Berger and his supporters have said equipment such as tanks and artillery tubes arent suited to that Pacific fight. And yet the Commandant of the Marine Corps felt no need to even mention the wars of the cause they had sacrificed their lives for. This is not a bunch of old guys that dont know what theyre talking about, he said. "I think that will be extremely valuable to the Marine Corps. All embassies are guarded by Marines, and so it was just so cool to see them. The argument in Bergers new strategy is that in order for the Corps to shift its mission, and absent a massive infusion of new funding, tough decisions had to be made. Craparotta", "I Marine Expeditionary Force Leaders: Lieutenant General David H. Berger", "Woodbine, Md. 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Registering also lets you comment on articles and helps us improve your experience. An influential group of over two dozen retired generals has launched a counteroffensive against plans to transform the Marine Corps, and is using their clout in a high-power pressure campaign to get Congress to slam on the brakes. "You don't need a Marine Corps, unless it can give you something that no one else can," Berger said at the time, according to a Marine Corps news release. "[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. 0WK2N%qK!ZR? x?4(8wI:9 Even while a skeleton. The games are run in conjunction with the Navys Pacific Fleet and the Army. endobj endobj Berger seemed most at home when the Marines were in the field. endobj Then to further incentivize honest and open critiques, Scheller was placed under a gag order and then confined to a brig when he continued to speak out. "A role model -- that's what I remember. An Orthodox publisher speaks to gay teens, LGBTQ youth need much more support than Korens new Leviticus commentary offers, but its careful effort is a major improvement, Come meet the Israel I know, where I live and love what I see and hear and taste and smell and feel. For some new officers, it takes time to grow into their leadership role, Meyer said. An official website of the United States Government, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. @G4Uf9N`oj0b0ekT.[,Mln-CWBO}Z/8y27?btWN&bIthPLh/ Gretchen Whitmer Copyright 2023 Military.com. native promoted to brigadier general in Marine Corps", "Glenelg grad reaching highest levels of Marines", "Lt. Gen. David Berger Tapped to Lead Marine Corps", "Lt. Gen. David Berger nominated as next commandant of the Marine Corps", "New Pacific Marine leader vows to keep up work with allies", "Former recon Marine Lt. Gen. David H. Berger nominated to be next Marine Corps commandant", "President Trump nominates next Commandant of the Marine Corps", "PN528 Lt. Gen. David H. Berger Marine Corps", "Lt. Gen. David H. Berger will become Marine commandant Thursday on the Corps' other birthday", "38TH COMMANDANT'S PLANNING GUIDANCE CPG", "Early Experiments are Proving Out Tank-Free Marine Corps Concept", "WSJ News Exclusive | Marines Plan to Retool to Meet China Threat", "67th MSC SCONA conference focuses on national security", United States Marine Corps Forces Pacific, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=David_H._Berger&oldid=1150938298, This page was last edited on 20 April 2023, at 22:36. The Shahs exiled son offers the best hope for a peaceful transition to a free Iran, A Haredi call for compromise between religious and secular, As we await Israels future Haredi majority, we must commit to dialogue among all citizens to determine the common ground we share, No country can afford global isolation, not even Israel, If Israels policymakers wont listen to feedback from world leaders, they should at least heed the rapid relocation of their own citizens, Tomorrow I will be so far away: Like a wildflower, The idea of leaving the kibbutz felt like a colossal failure, like the breaking of a marriage this song got me through it, Written 25 years earlier by a young man who had lost a leg as a soldier in the 1967 war, the song was still a revolution in seven verses, The judicial reform may hinge on divisions of class and ethnicity, The ethnic genie has left the bottle and now fuels the hate, fury, and insult of Israels have-nots to its haves, The songs of a Yiddish poet and songwriter from Poland killed long ago resonate with me so deeply that I must thank him publicly, Am I an abomination? GEN. BERGER: Great question. Years Later, Some Are Saddled With Debt. It serves as the authoritative document for Service-level planning and provides a common direction to the Marine Corps Total Force. We want our service members to read widely. The retired generals say they have seen no evidence that leaders performed adequate analysis before getting rid of their tanks, and want Congress to press the pause button on Bergers plan. A native of Woodbine, Maryland, General Berger graduated from Tulane University and was commissioned in 1981.
