Lt Gen Michael E Langley made Marine history by becoming the first Black man to be confirmed as a four-star general. The Shreveport, Louisiana native studied at the University of Texas at Arlington and was commissioned in 1985. 

Langley held positions of command with the Battery K, 5thBattalion, and 11th Marines in support of Operations WILDFIRE in Western United States. He was also in charge of battalion and regimental commands in 12th Marines forward  deployed in Okinawa, Japan. Langley also worked with the 201st Regional Corps Advisory Command-Central and Regional Support Command – Southwest in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan. 

On November 3, 2021, he assumed duties of Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic and Commander, Marine Forces Command and Marine Forces Northern Command. 

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While serving as a general officer, Langley’s command assignments have included Deputy Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) and Commanding General, 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade; Commander, Marine Forces Europe and Africa; and Deputy Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic and Deputy Commander, Marine Forces Command and Marine Forces Northern Command. 

His formal military education was from the US Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School and College of Naval Command and Staff. The distinguished military man also has numerous advanced degrees including a Master’s in National Security Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

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Part of his staff and joint assignments include working as the division officer for Marine Corps Institute, Marine Barracks 8th and I; Deputy G-1, 1st Marine Division deployed in support of Operation RESTORE HOPE in Somalia; Naval Surface Fire Support Requirements Officer in the Expeditionary Warfare Division (N75) and Joint Integration Officer in the Surface Warfare Division (N76), Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; policy action officer in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, J-5; Iraq Desk Officer in the Joint Staff Response Cell, J-3 Operations Directorate; Deputy Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Assessments Branch Head, Programs and Resources, Headquarters, Marine Corps; Assistant Division Commander of 3d Marine Division; Deputy Director for Operations, J-3, Joint Staff; Assistant Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, Headquarters, Marine Corps; and Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy, J-5, U.S. Central Command.