Joseph J. McMenamin
Encyclopedia
Brigadier General
Joseph J. McMenamin is a general officer in the United States Marine Corps
and is currently the Assistant Division Commander for the 2nd Marine Division.
in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania
.
He received a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Political Science
from Villanova University
in May 1974.
program.
Completing The Basic School in December 1974, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines
, 3rd Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan
where he served as the 81mm Mortar
Platoon Commander and Headquarters & Service Company Executive Officer. Returning from Okinawa in February 1976, he was assigned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego
where he served as a Series Officer, Battalion Adjutant and Regimental Adjutant.
In October 1979, he transferred to the 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton
, California
where he served as the Weapons Company Commander and the Battalion Fire Support Coordinator with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines
for 3 years. Following this tour, he attended Amphibious Warfare School at Quantico, Virginia
.
After completing Amphibious Warfare School, McMenamin reported to The Basic School where he served as a Tactics Instructor, Tactics Section Chief, Student Company Commander and Assistant Tactics Group Chief. Selected for recruiting duty, he served as the Commanding Officer of Recruiting Station, Cincinnati, Ohio from June 1986 to June 1989. After recruiting duty, he attended Marine Corps Command and Staff College. Completing school in June 1990, he then served an Air-Ground exchange tour with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
in Okinawa, Japan.
Returning to the United States in July 1991, he was initially assigned as the G-3 Training Officer of the 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune
, North Carolina
. He later assumed command of the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
in July 1992. Completing this assignment in February 1994, he completed his tour with the 2nd Marine Division as the Assistant Chief of Staff, Readiness. Following his tour with the 2nd Marine Division, he attended the Naval War College
in June 1994. Graduating with a Master of Arts
degree in Strategic Studies and National Security Affairs in May 1995, he reported for joint duty with the United States Central Command serving as the Strategy Branch Chief and Division Chief, Policy and Strategy Division in the J-5 Plans and Policy Directorate.
In June 1999, he reported for duty as the Commanding Officer of the Sixth Marine Corps District. Brigadier General McMenamin relinquished command of the Sixth Marine Corps District on June 26, 2001. He served as the Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
, South Carolina
from June 27, 2001 until May 25, 2004. In June 2004 he was assigned as the Director, Iraq Survey Group
, Baghdad
, Iraq
. He assumed duties as the Assistant Division Commander of 2nd Marine Division during December 2004.
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
Joseph J. McMenamin is a general officer in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
and is currently the Assistant Division Commander for the 2nd Marine Division.
Early years
McMenamin was a 1970 graduate of La Salle College High SchoolLa Salle College High School
La Salle College High School founded in 1858 is an independent, Catholic, college preparatory school for boys located in Wyndmoor, a community in Springfield Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States, outside Philadelphia. The school is staffed by a lay faculty and the Christian...
in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania
Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania
Wyndmoor is a census-designated place in Springfield Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA. The population was 5,498 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
.
He received a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in Political Science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
from Villanova University
Villanova University
Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
in May 1974.
Marine Corps service
McMenamin was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps via the Naval Reserve Officer Training CorpsNaval Reserve Officer Training Corps
The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program is a college-based, commissioned officer training program of the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps.-Origins:...
program.
Completing The Basic School in December 1974, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines
2nd Battalion 9th Marines
The 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Formed during World War I, the unit played an instrumental role in the defeat of the Japanese forces in the Battles of Guam and Iwo Jima during the World War II...
, 3rd Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
where he served as the 81mm Mortar
M252 Mortar
The M252 81 mm medium weight mortar is an American smooth bore, muzzle-loading, high-angle-of-fire weapon used for long-range indirect fire support to light infantry, air assault, and airborne units across the entire front of a battalion zone of influence. In the U.S. Army and U.S...
Platoon Commander and Headquarters & Service Company Executive Officer. Returning from Okinawa in February 1976, he was assigned to Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego
Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego
Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego is a United States Marine Corps military installation in San Diego, California. It lies between San Diego Bay and Interstate 5, adjacent to San Diego International Airport and the former Naval Training Center San Diego...
where he served as a Series Officer, Battalion Adjutant and Regimental Adjutant.
In October 1979, he transferred to the 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is the major West Coast base of the United States Marine Corps and serves as its prime amphibious training base...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
where he served as the Weapons Company Commander and the Battalion Fire Support Coordinator with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines
2nd Battalion 7th Marines
The 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines is a light infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. They are based at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms and consist of approximately 800 Marines and Sailors...
for 3 years. Following this tour, he attended Amphibious Warfare School at Quantico, Virginia
Quantico, Virginia
- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there are 561 people, 295 households, and 107 families living in the town. The population density is . There are 359 housing units at an average density of .-Racial composition:...
.
After completing Amphibious Warfare School, McMenamin reported to The Basic School where he served as a Tactics Instructor, Tactics Section Chief, Student Company Commander and Assistant Tactics Group Chief. Selected for recruiting duty, he served as the Commanding Officer of Recruiting Station, Cincinnati, Ohio from June 1986 to June 1989. After recruiting duty, he attended Marine Corps Command and Staff College. Completing school in June 1990, he then served an Air-Ground exchange tour with the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
1st Marine Aircraft Wing
The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing is an aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps that serves as the Aviation Combat Element of the III Marine Expeditionary Force. The wing is headquartered at Camp Foster on the island of Okinawa, Japan...
in Okinawa, Japan.
Returning to the United States in July 1991, he was initially assigned as the G-3 Training Officer of the 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is a United States military training facility in North Carolina. The base's of beaches make it a major area for amphibious assault training, and its location between two deep-water ports allows for fast deployments.The main base is supplemented by five satellite...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. He later assumed command of the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion
2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion is a mechanized infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. Their primary weapon system is the LAV-25 and they fall under the command of the 2nd Marine Division and II Marine Expeditionary Force. The unit is based out of the Marine Corps Base...
in July 1992. Completing this assignment in February 1994, he completed his tour with the 2nd Marine Division as the Assistant Chief of Staff, Readiness. Following his tour with the 2nd Marine Division, he attended the Naval War College
Naval War College
The Naval War College is an education and research institution of the United States Navy that specializes in developing ideas for naval warfare and passing them along to officers of the Navy. The college is located on the grounds of Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island...
in June 1994. Graduating with a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree in Strategic Studies and National Security Affairs in May 1995, he reported for joint duty with the United States Central Command serving as the Strategy Branch Chief and Division Chief, Policy and Strategy Division in the J-5 Plans and Policy Directorate.
In June 1999, he reported for duty as the Commanding Officer of the Sixth Marine Corps District. Brigadier General McMenamin relinquished command of the Sixth Marine Corps District on June 26, 2001. He served as the Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island
Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island is an military installation located within Port Royal, South Carolina, approximately south of Beaufort, the community that is typically associated with the installation. MCRD Parris Island is used for the training of enlisted Marines...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
from June 27, 2001 until May 25, 2004. In June 2004 he was assigned as the Director, Iraq Survey Group
Iraq Survey Group
The Iraq Survey Group was a fact-finding mission sent by the multinational force in Iraq after the 2003 invasion of Iraq to find the alleged weapons of mass destruction alleged to be possessed by Iraq that had been the main ostensible reason for the invasion. Its final report is commonly called...
, Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. He assumed duties as the Assistant Division Commander of 2nd Marine Division during December 2004.
Awards and decorations
Brigadier General McMenamin's military decorations include: |
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| Basic Parachutist Insignia Parachutist Badge (United States) The Parachutist Badge, also commonly referred to as "Jump Wings" or "Snow Cone", is a military badge of the United States Armed Forces awarded to members of the United States Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy... |
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| 1st Row | Defense Superior Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal The Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."... |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Row | Legion of Merit Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements... |
Bronze Star Bronze Star Medal The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the... w/ valor device Valor device The Valor device is an award of the United States military which is a bronze attachment to certain medals to indicate that it was received for valor... |
Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (United States) The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969... |
Joint Service Commendation Medal Commendation Medal The Commendation Medal is a mid-level United States military decoration which is presented for sustained acts of heroism or meritorious service. For valorous actions in direct contact with an enemy force, but of a lesser degree than required for the award of the Bronze Star, the Valor device may... |
| 3rd Row | Joint Service Achievement Medal Achievement Medal The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service... |
Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal Achievement Medal The Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service... |
Combat Action Ribbon Combat Action Ribbon The Combat Action Ribbon is a personal military decoration of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard which is awarded to those who, in any grade including and below that of a Captain in the Navy and Coast Guard , have actively participated in ground or... |
Joint Meritorious Unit Award Joint Meritorious Unit Award The Joint Meritorious Unit Award is a military award that was established on June 4, 1981 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and was implemented by Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated July 22, 1982... w/ 2 oak leaf cluster Oak leaf cluster An oak leaf cluster is a common device which is placed on U.S. Army and Air Force awards and decorations to denote those who have received more than one bestowal of a particular decoration. The number of oak leaf clusters typically indicates the number of subsequent awards of the decoration... s |
| 4th Row | Navy Unit Commendation Navy Unit Commendation The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944... w/ 1 service star Service star A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a United States military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service... |
Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Meritorious Unit Commendation The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions.... w/ 2 service stars |
National Defense Service Medal National Defense Service Medal The National Defense Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States military originally commissioned by President Dwight D. Eisenhower... w/ 1 service star |
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy... |
| 5th Row | Humanitarian Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal The Humanitarian Service Medal is a military service medal of the United States armed forces which was created on January 19, 1977 by President Gerald Ford under... w/ 1 service star |
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon Sea Service Ribbon A Sea Service Ribbon is an award of the United States Navy, United States Coast Guard and the United States Army which recognizes those service members who have performed military duty while stationed on a vessel at sea.... w/ 2 service stars |
Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon Recruiting Service Ribbon The Recruiting Service Ribbon is a military award of the United States Armed Forces which is issued by every branch of service with the exception of the United States Army... |
Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon Drill Instructor Ribbon A Drill Instructor Ribbon is a military award of the United States Armed Forces which is issued by the Navy, Air Force and United States Marine Corps... |