Page 7 - 2022 Marine Corps League Journal
P. 7

Message FroM the CoMMandant



                          LtGen David H. Berger
                          Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development
                          Command / Deputy Commandant for Combat Development
                          and Integration
                                     10 NOVEMBER 2020
                          Lieutenant General Berger was commissioned as an infantry
                          officer in 1981 following graduation from Tulane University.
                   A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS
                          As a Lieutenant and Captain, he served as platoon
                          commander in 1st Marine Division, and later as Company
             If there were a watchword for 2020, the shortlist would certainly include ‘change,’ ‘uncertainty,’ and
                          Commander and battalion Operations Officer in 2d
                          Reconnaissance Battalion during Operation DESERT STORM.
        ‘adaptation.’ This new dynamic and uncertain environment has impacted how we recruit and train Marines, deploy
                          He also served as Officer Selection Officer in Roanoke,
        aboard ship, and even how we honor our Corps’ hallowed traditions.  But adapting to change and uncertainty is
                          Virginia.
        nothing new for Marines. It is what we have done for 245 years and what is expected of us as the Nation’s force-in-

                                   10 November 2022
                          As a field grade officer, Lieutenant General Berger was an instructor at Marine Aviation
        readiness. Where others see challenges, Marines see opportunities. We don’t take a knee. We will always be ready to
                          Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) in Yuma, Arizona; instructor at III Marine
            A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS
        answer the nation’s call, no matter the crisis.
                          Expeditionary Force Special Operations Training Group; and served on the Joint Staff as a policy
                          planner in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, J-5.
            70 years ago, Anny Major General Frank E. Lowe was quoted as saying, “The safest
             In a world of seemingly relentless change and uncertainty, some things remain constant–our core values:
                          Lieutenant General Berger commanded 3d Battalion, 8th Marines from 2002 to 2004, deploying
         place in Korea was right behind a platoon of Marines. Lord, how they could fight.” That
        Honor, Courage, and Commitment. These values are at the very heart of our ability to be, “most ready when the
                          the battalion first to Okinawa, and later to Haiti in support of Operation SECURE TOMORROW.
         testimonial rings as true now as it did then, and will remain so tomorrow. As we celebrate
                          As a Colonel, Lieutenant General Berger commanded Regimental Combat Team 8 in Fallujah,
        Nation is least ready.” It’s honor that gives us an uncompromising sense of personal integrity and accountability;
                          Iraq during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.  While serving as Assistant Division Commander of 2d
         the 247th anniversary of our Corps’ founding, we reflect on nearly two and a half centuries
        courage that allows us to face any circumstance with an ironclad resolve to do what’s right; and commitment that
                          Marine Division, he was appointed to the rank of Brigadier General.  He then deployed to
        binds us together as a family and drives us toward excellence. And while our core values might never change, the way
         of exceptional prowess, while also taking objective stock of where we are today and how
                          Kosovo, where he served for one year as Chief of Staff for KFOR Headquarters in Pristina.  From
                          2009 to 2011, he served at Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps as the Director of Operations in
        we give life to them requires constant vigilance. This year’s national conversations about race remind us that we must
         we will prepare for future battlefields. Our birthday provides us a chance to focus on the
                          the Department of Plans, Policies, and Operations.
        all do better to embody our service’s values.
         one thing common to our success in the past, present, and future: the individual Marine.
                          In 2012, he deployed to Afghanistan as the Commanding General of 1st Marine Division
         Victories are not won because of technology or equipment, but because of our Marines.
                          (Forward) in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
             Commemorating the 245th birthday of our Corps offers us a chance to reflect on our history. We who serve
            Since 1775, Marines have fought courageously and tenaciously in every conflict our
                          In July 2014, Lieutenant General Berger was promoted to his current rank and assumed
        today stand upon the shoulders of giants. While this year’s many challenges are significant and unique, they are not
         country has faced. Through the Revolution, the Spanish-American War, World Wars in Eu-
                          command of I Marine Expeditionary Force and subsequently assumed command of U.S. Marine
        unprecedented, and it is important to remember that our Nation and Corps have endured difficult times in our past.
                          Corps Forces, Pacific.
         rope and the Pacific, conflicts in Korea and Vietnam, and operations in the Middle East,
        This year, for example, marks the 75th anniversary of brutal battles in the Pacific; when soldiers of the sea defined
                          On 28 August 2018, Lieutenant General Berger assumed responsibility as the Commanding
        the term “uncommon valor” on the black sands of Iwo Jima; the 70th anniversary of bitter fighting at Inchon and
         Marines consistently earned a reputati1.m as the world’s elite fighting force. We inherit
                          General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, and the Deputy Commandant for
        Chosin Reservoir; 55 years since Marines landed at Da Nang; and a decade since our struggle with the Taliban in
         and take pride in this reputation, evoived over timl’ by Marines acquitting themselves with
                          Combat Development and Integration, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
        the Helmand River Valley. We remember the service and sacrifice of all Marines, and honor the legacy passed down
         honor and distinction on every battlefield in every clime and place. Battlefields change, and
                          In addition to a B.S. in Engineering, he holds a Master of International Public Policy from Johns
        through generations. Our continuing obligation is to honor their legacy by making meaningful contributions to what
         Marines have always adapted to the environment and the changing character of war - but
                          Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, and a M.S. in Military Studies. His
        they started.     formal military education includes the U.S. Army Infantry Officer Advanced Course, U.S. Marine
         the reason we fight and win is immutable. It’s the individual warfighters, and their love for
                          Corps Command and Staff College, and U.S. Marine Corps School of Advanced Warfighting. He
         each other, that makes our Corps as fonnidable a force today as it has been for the past 247
                          is a graduate of the U.S. Army Ranger School, Jumpmaster School, U.S. Navy Dive School, and
             From the past, we draw strength, pride, and a responsibility to carry on the warfighting heritage our
                          U.S. Marine Corps Amphibious Reconnaissance School.
         years. It’s our ethos and our unapologetic resolve to be the most capable and lethal fighting
        predecessors built. We must also recognize our tradition of continuous adaptation–one that should inspire our
        current force modernization and innovation efforts. As has been the case in the past, today’s threats require us to
         force that sets us apart from the rest.
        fight as a cohesive team, and our ability to succeed will depend on the Honor, Courage, and Commitment of each

            Current events around the world remind us that peace is not guaranteed. While we are
        individual Marine. From recruiting individuals of great intelligence, strength, spirit, and diversity, to evolving how
         justifiably proud of our past and pay tribute to the remarkable warfighters who came before
        we train, educate, and mentor Marines throughout their careers, we remain dedicated to developing the world’s finest
         us, we understand that the stories of yesterday cannot secure our freedom tomorrow. We
        warfighters, guided by our core values.
         must be ready to respond when our Nation calls. It falls on Marines who are in uniform
         today to write the next chapter of our Corps. The solemn responsibility of maintaining our
             In a year of significant change and uncertainty, I am reminded of the words of American novelist, John Dos
         illustrious warfighting legacy rests upon your shoulders. I know that you are up to that task.
        Passos, “In times of change and danger when there is a quicksand of fear under men’s reasoning, a sense of continuity
        with generations gone before can stretch like a lifeline across the scary present…” Never forget, what you do today
         The battlefields of tomorrow are uncertain. The future characteristics of warfare are uncer-
        becomes the foundation for the generations of Marines that will follow. There is no challenge we cannot overcome,
         tain. But one thing is certain - wherever Marines are called, they will fight and win - today,
        together, by holding fast to our core values. Happy 245th Birthday Marines.
         tomorrow, and into the future.

          Happy 247th Birthday, Marines!
                                                                               Semper Fidelis,
 James F. Amos                        Semper Fidelis,
 Gencral, U.S. Marine Corps
 Commandant of the Marine Corps
                                     DAVID H. BERGER
                                  General, U.S. Marine Corps
                                                                         DAVID H. BERGER
                                                                    General, U.S. Marine Corps
                                Commandant of the Marine Corps
                                                              Commandant of the Marine Corps
                                     ~ 5 ~
    4    www.mca-marines.org/gazette                       Marine Corps Gazette • November 2020
   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12