General David Berger
Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps
David Hilberry Berger was born in December 1959 in Woodbine, Maryland. He earned an undergraduate degree in engineering from Tulane University and two master’s degrees in international public policy from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and military studies. He has graduated or been certified from several other military education platforms. He was commissioned into the Marine Corps as an infantry officer through the ROTC at Tulane.
He served as platoon and company commander and was a battalion operations officer during Operation Desert Storm. He also saw deployments in the Gulf War, Operation Secure Tomorrow, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan. He served as an instructor at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, as an instructor at a Special Operations Training Group, and also served on the Joint Staff as a policy planner.
Berger was nominated by President Donald Trump to become Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. He was confirmed by the Senate and took command in July 2019.
In the News…
The United States is shifting more military focus from the Middle East to face possible military challenges from China. The U.S. Marine Corps is training jointly with Japan in the Western Pacific for island-based conflict.
The preparations by the Marines take into account that China is what the Pentagon calls a “near-peer” rival with regard to their military satellites, cyber warfare capabilities, use of artificial intelligence, and firepower.
U.S. Marine Commandant General David Berger is looking for ways the Marines can play a larger part in maritime conflict. He is pursuing avenues that allow his service to offer more support to the Navy.
The Marines’ recent exercises were held in tandem with Japanese soldiers in small, dispersed troop units. A simulated mission focused on covert operations that would capture an island port containing enemy weaponry. The goal is to have command centers that are mobile and offer little trace of their existence.
