The Marine Corps is now functioning without a Senate-confirmed commandant for the first time in more than 150 years. Gen. David H. Berger, who was appointed to the top position in July 2019 and held it for a term of four years, resigned from his job on Monday, leaving the seat vacant.

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Who is David H. Berger?

General David Hilberry Berger, a former United States Marine Corps officer, led the Marine Corps as its 38th commander from 2019 to 2023. Berger has had a number of command and staff positions since being commissioned in 1981, including his involvement in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

After earning a BSc degree in Engineering from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, he went on to earn two master’s degrees, one in international public policy from Johns Hopkins University and the other in military studies. Post that, he held numerous command and staff roles over the course of his career.

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The U.S. Army Infantry Officer Advanced Course, U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and U.S. Marine Corps School of Advanced Warfighting are among General Berger’s official military education institutions.

In addition to a reconnaissance company, Berger oversaw the Regimental Combat Team 8 in Fallujah, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the 3d Battalion, 8th Marines in Haiti during Operation Secure Tomorrow. During Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, he oversaw the 1st Marine Division (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific/Fleet Marine Forces Pacific, and Marine Corps Combat Development Command as a General Officer.

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He received President Donald Trump‘s nomination on March 26, 2019, to take General Robert B. Neller’s place as the 38th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. After being unanimously approved by the US Senate on June 5, he assumed command on July 11 during a ceremony at the Marine Barracks in Washington, DC.

Berger’s tenure as commandant came to an end on July 10, 2023, when he handed over the reins to his associate commandant, Eric M. Smith.