Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps

The assistant commandant of the Marine Corps (ACMC) is the second highest-ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps, and serves as a deputy for the commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC). Before 1946, the title was known as the assistant to the commandant.

Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps
Incumbent
General Gary L. Thomas
since October 4, 2018
AbbreviationACMC
Reports toCommandant of the Marine Corps
AppointerPresident
with Senate advice and consent
FormationApril 29, 1911
First holderEli K. Cole

The assistant commandant is nominated for appointment by the president and must be confirmed via majority vote by the Senate. In the event that the commandant is absent or is unable to perform his duties, the assistant commandant assumes the duties and responsibilities of the commandant. For this reason, the assistant commandant is appointed to a rank equal to the sitting commandant; since 1971, each assistant commandant has been, by statute, a four-star general, making it the most common rank held among Marines serving this position. Additionally, he may perform other duties that the CMC assigns to him.[1] Historically, the assistant comandant has served for two to three years. In recent decades, the assistant commandant has frequently been a Marine aviator. James F. Amos is the first aviator to serve as the assistant commandant and then be promoted to commandant.

The 35th and current assistant commandant is Gary L. Thomas,[2] who took office on 4 October 2018, when Glenn M. Walters retired. The first Marine to hold the billet as the "assistant to the commandant" was Eli K. Cole (Allen H. Turnage being the last), while Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. was the first to hold it as the "assistant commandant".

List of previous appointees

Assistants to the commandant of the Marine Corps

Before the official title of "Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps" was adopted in 1946, the title of the position was known as "Assistant to the Commandant" and before 1918, known only as "Duty in the Office of the Commandant". No records exist before the outbreak of World War I about this position, possibly because the Commandant likely had only administrative staff and no deputy.[3]

The first assistant to the commandant was Lieutenant Colonel (from 1914 Colonel) Eli K. Cole, who assumed the position on April 29, 1911. From April 29, 1911, to October 16, 1946, 19 men were assigned to assist the commandant, including five who later became commandant: John A. Lejeune, Wendell C. Neville, Ben H. Fuller, John H. Russell Jr., and Alexander A. Vandegrift.[3]

# Photo Rank Name Tenure from Tenure to Became Commandant
1 O-05Colonel Eli K. Cole[4] April 29, 1911 January 1, 1915 No
2 O-07Brigadier General John A. Lejeune[5] January 1, 1915 September 10, 1917 Yes
3 O-07Brigadier General Charles G. Long[6] September 11, 1917 August 13, 1920 No
4 O-08Major General Wendell Cushing Neville[7] August 14, 1920 July 11, 1923 Yes
5 O-07Brigadier General Logan Feland[8] July 13, 1923 July 31, 1925 No
6 O-07Brigadier General Dion Williams[9] August 1, 1925 July 1, 1928 No
7 O-07Brigadier General Ben Hebard Fuller[10] July 2, 1928 July 8, 1930 Yes
8 O-07Brigadier General John Twiggs Myers[11] August 1, 1930 February 1, 1933 No
9 O-07Brigadier General John H. Russell Jr.[12] February 1, 1933 February 28, 1934 Yes
10 O-07Brigadier General Douglas C. McDougal[13] April 8, 1934 April 22, 1935 No
11 O-07Brigadier General Louis M. Little[14] April 22, 1935 May 6, 1937 No
12 O-06Brigadier General Holland Smith[15] April 1, 1939 September 25, 1939 No
13 O-07Brigadier General Alexander Vandegrift[16] March 1, 1940 November 18, 1941 Yes
14 O-07Brigadier General Charles D. Barrett[17] November 19, 1941 March 12, 1942 No
15 O-07Brigadier General Ralph S. Keyser[18] March 28, 1942 May 24, 1942 No
16 O-O8Major General Harry Schmidt[19] May 25, 1942 August 1, 1943 No
17 O-08Major General Keller E. Rockey[20] August 2, 1943 January 17, 1944 No
18 O-08Major General Dewitt Peck[21] January 20, 1944 July 30, 1945 No
19 O-08Major General Allen H. Turnage[22] September 1, 1945 October 16, 1946 No

Assistant commandants of the Marine Corps

In 1946, Congress established the position of "assistant commandant of the Marine Corps" and since then, 31 men have held the position. Major General Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. was the first to hold the billet and went on to become commandant, as well as six others: Randolph M. Pate, Leonard F. Chapman Jr., Robert H. Barrow, Paul X. Kelley, James F. Amos and Joseph Dunford.[3]

As with the commandant, the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps is appointed by the president based on advice and consent of the Senate and, once appointed, will be promoted to the grade of general. The duties of the assistant commandant include such authority and duties as the commandant – and with the approval of the secretary of the Navy – may delegate to or prescribe for him. Orders issued by the assistant commandant in performing such duties have the same effect as those issued by the commandant. When there is a vacancy in the office of the commandant of the Marine Corps, or during the absence or disability of the commandant, the assistant commandant shall perform the duties of the commandant until a successor is appointed or the absence or disability ceases.[1]

# Photo Rank Name Tenure from Tenure to Became Commandant
1 O-08Major General Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr.[23] October 7, 1946 April 14, 1948 Yes
2 O-08Major General Oliver P. Smith[24] April 15, 1948 July 19, 1950 No
3 O-09Lieutenant General Merwin H. Silverthorn[25] July 19, 1950 February 1, 1952 No
4 O-09Lieutenant General Gerald C. Thomas[26] March 8, 1952 July 1, 1954 No
5 O-09Lieutenant General Randolph M. Pate[27] July 1, 1954 December 31, 1955 Yes
6 O-09Lieutenant General Vernon E. Megee[28] January 1, 1956 November 30, 1957 No
7 O-09Lieutenant General Verne J. McCaul[29] December 1, 1957 December 31, 1959 No
8 O-09Lieutenant General John C. Munn[30] January 1, 1960 March 31, 1963 No
9 O-09Lieutenant General Charles H. Hayes[31] April 1, 1963 June 30, 1965 No
10 O-09Lieutenant General Richard C. Mangrum[32] July 1, 1965 June 30, 1967 No
11 O-09Lieutenant General Leonard F. Chapman Jr.[33] July 1, 1967 December 31, 1967 Yes
12 O-10General Lewis William Walt[34] January 1, 1968 January 29, 1971 No
13 O-10General Keith B. McCutcheon[35] January 30, 1971 March 11, 1971
(never assumed post due to illness)		 No
14 O-10General Raymond G. Davis[36] March 12, 1971 March 30, 1972 No
15 O-10General Earl E. Anderson[37] March 31, 1972 June 30, 1975 No
16 O-10General Samuel Jaskilka[38] July 1, 1975 June 30, 1978 No
17 O-10General Robert H. Barrow[39] July 1, 1978 July 30, 1979 Yes
18 O-10General Kenneth McLennan[40] July 1, 1979 July 30, 1981 No
19 O-10General Paul X. Kelley[41] July 1, 1981 June 30, 1983 Yes
20 O-10General John K. Davis[42] July 1, 1983 May 31, 1986 No
21 O-10General Thomas R. Morgan[43] June 1, 1986 June 30, 1988 No
22 O-10General Joseph J. Went[44] July 1, 1988 July 31, 1990 No
23 O-10General John R. Dailey[45] August 1, 1990 August 31, 1992 No
24 O-10General Walter E. Boomer[46] September 1, 1992 July 14, 1994 No
25 O-10General Richard D. Hearney[47] July 15, 1994 September 26, 1996 No
26 O-10General Richard I. Neal[48] September 27, 1996 September 4, 1998 No
27 O-10General Terrence R. Dake[49] September 5, 1998 September 7, 2000 No
28 O-10General Michael J. Williams[50] September 8, 2000 September 9, 2002 No
29 O-10General William L. Nyland[51] September 10, 2002 September 7, 2005 No
30 O-10General Robert Magnus[52] September 8, 2005 July 2, 2008 No
31 O-10General James F. Amos[53] July 3, 2008 October 22, 2010 Yes
32 O-10General Joseph F. Dunford Jr.[54] October 23, 2010 December 15, 2012 Yes
33 O-10General John M. Paxton Jr.[55] December 15, 2012 August 2, 2016 No
34 O-10General Glenn M. Walters[56] August 2, 2016 October 2, 2018 No
35 O-10General Gary L. Thomas October 4, 2018 incumbent

Timeline
Glenn M. WaltersJohn M. Paxton Jr.James F. AmosJames T. ConwayRobert MagnusMichael HageeWilliam L. NylandMichael J. WilliamsJames L. JonesTerrence R. DakeRichard I. NealCharles C. KrulakRichard D. HearneyWalter E. BoomerCarl Epting Mundy Jr.John R. DaileyJoseph J. WentAlfred M. Gray Jr.Thomas R. MorganJohn K. DavisPaul X. KelleyKenneth McLennanRobert H. BarrowSamuel JaskilkaLouis H. Wilson Jr.Earl E. AndersonRobert E. Cushman Jr.Raymond G. DavisKeith B. McCutcheonLeonard F. Chapman Jr.Richard C. MangrumWallace M. GreeneCharles H. HayesJohn C. MunnDavid M. ShoupVerne J. McCaulVernon E. MegeeRandolph M. PateGerald C. ThomasMerwin H. SilverthornOliver P. SmithClifton B. CatesLemuel C. Shepherd Jr.Allen H. TurnageKeller E. RockeyHarry Schmidt (USMC)Ralph S. KeyserCharles D. BarrettAlexander VandegriftHolland SmithThomas HolcombLouis M. LittleDouglas C. McDougalJohn H. Russell Jr.John Twiggs MyersBen Hebard FullerDion WilliamsLogan FelandWendell Cushing NevilleCharles G. LongJohn A. LejeuneGeorge BarnettEli K. ColeWilliam P. Biddle

See also

References
General
  • Nofi, Albert A. (1997). "The Assistant Commandants of the Marine Corps". The Marine Corps Book of Lists. Da Capo Press. p. 146. ISBN 0-938289-89-6. Retrieved 2007-12-19.
  • Allan Reed Millett; Jack Shulimson, eds. (2004). Commandants of the Marine Corps. Annapolis, Md.: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-0-87021-012-9.
Specific
  1. 10 U.S.C. § 5044 Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps.
  2. ALMAR 040/10
  3. "Marine Corps Assistant Commandants". Historical Topics: Frequently Requested. Reference Branch, History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2007-12-29.
  4. "Lieutenant colonel Eli Kelley Cole, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  5. "Brigadier general John Archer Lejeune, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2010-10-07. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  6. "Brigadier general Charles Grant Long, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  7. "Major general Wendell Cushing Neville, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  8. "Brigadier general Logan Feland, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  9. "Brigadier general Dion Williams, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  10. "Brigadier general Ben Hebard Fuller, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  11. "Brigadier general John Twiggs Myers, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  12. "Brigadier general John Henry Russell Jr., USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2010-10-07. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  13. "Brigadier general Douglas C. McDougal, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  14. "Brigadier general Louis McCarty Little, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  15. "Brigadier general Holland McTyeire Smith, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2009-07-21. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  16. "Brigadier general Alexander Archer Vandegrift, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2010-10-07. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  17. "Major general Charles Dodson Barrett, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  18. "Major general Ralph Stover Keyser, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  19. "Major general Harry Schmidt, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  20. "Major general Keller E. Rockey, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  21. "Major general DeWitt Peck, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2010-11-14. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  22. "Major general Allen Hal Turnage, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  23. "Major general Lemuel Cornick Shepherd Jr., USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2012-04-14. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  24. "Major general Oliver P. Smith, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  25. "Lieutenant general Merwin Hancock Silverthorn, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  26. "Lieutenant general Gerald C. Thomas, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  27. "Lieutenant general Randolph McCall Pate, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  28. "Lieutenant general Vernon E. Megee, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  29. "Lieutenant general Verne J. McCaul, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  30. "Lieutenant general John Calvin Munn, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  31. "Lieutenant general Charles Harold Hayes, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  32. "Lieutenant general Richard C. Mangrum, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  33. "Lieutenant general Leonard Fielding Chapman, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  34. "General Lewis W. Walt, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  35. "General Keith B. McCutcheon, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2010-11-05. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  36. "General Raymond Gilbert Davis, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  37. "General Earl Edward Anderson, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2010-11-03. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  38. "General Samuel Jaskilka, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  39. "General Robert H. Barrow, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2012-04-18. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
  40. "General Kenneth McLennan, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  41. "General Paul X. Kelley, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2012-04-14. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  42. "General John K. Davis, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  43. "General Thomas R. Morgan, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  44. "General Joseph J. Went, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2007-02-19. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  45. "General John R. Dailey, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  46. "General Walter E. Boomer, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  47. "General Richard D. Hearney, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  48. "General Richard I. Neal, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  49. "General Terrence R. Dake, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  50. "General Michael J. Williams, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  51. "General William L. "Spider" Nyland, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  52. "General Robert Magnus, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  53. "General James F. Amos, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  54. "General Joseph F. Dunford Jr., USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2011-06-15. Retrieved 2010-10-25.
  55. "General John M. Paxton Jr., USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2012-12-15.
  56. "General Glenn M. Walters, USMC". Who's Who in Marine Corps History. History Division, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 2016-08-04.

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