Military Secretary to the Commandant of the Marine Corps
Encyclopedia
The Military Secretary is the senior advisor and task manager for the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Personally selected by the Commandant, the Military Secretary is an active duty Colonel who reports directly to the Commandant. The exact duties of the Military Secretary have varied based on the needs and preferences of each Commandant. There are no existing manuals or orders that dictate the exact role of the Military Secretary. He runs the day to day operations of the Office of the Commandant, supervises the schedule of the Commandant, and performs other duties as the Commandant may direct. In order to perform the multi-faceted duties of the Military Secretary, the Marine must be well versed in all aspects of the Marine Corps, the Department of Defense, and the United States Government.
Comparable positions in other branches of the military are:
Until the 1950s, the Assistant Commandant worked in the same office as the Commandant. At this time the Assistant Commandant moved to his own office space and created a more defined position. Prior to this move, the Military Secretary performed duties for the Assistant Commandant as well.
The current Military Secretary is Colonel James W Bierman, Jr.
Comparable positions in other branches of the military are:
- Air Force – Senior Military Assistant
- Army – Executive Officer to the Secretary of the Army
- Navy – Military Assistant
Responsibilities
The Military Secretary serves as a direct advisor to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. The Military Secretary is primarily responsible for filtering and directing the flow of information to the Commandant, keeping the Commandant abreast of situations impacting the Marine Corps, gathering and analyzing pertinent information in order to provide sound guidance and counsel to the Commandant. His responsibilities extend to acting as a liaison between the Commandant and the Secretary of the General Staff, participating in scheduling and coordination with the Assistant Commandant, and supervising the Commandant's personal staff. Foreign dignitaries often visit the Commandant and he in turn travels overseas to visit them. Not only does the Military Secretary oversee the preparation and execution of these trips, he may be required to accompany the Commandant on these trips or engage guests on the Commandant’s behalf.History
Originally, the position of Military Secretary to the Commandant of the Marine Corps (or MilSec) was called the Secretary to the Major General Commandant (MGC). The position was created by the 17th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Major General Thomas Holcomb, who appointed Colonel Alexander A. Vandegrift as the first Military Secretary in 1936.Until the 1950s, the Assistant Commandant worked in the same office as the Commandant. At this time the Assistant Commandant moved to his own office space and created a more defined position. Prior to this move, the Military Secretary performed duties for the Assistant Commandant as well.
List of Military Secretaries
Forty-three men have served as the Military Secretary to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. The following Marines have all served as the Military Secretary and have later went on to become the Commandant:- General Alexander A. Vandegrift
- General James L. Jones, Jr.
The current Military Secretary is Colonel James W Bierman, Jr.
| 1 | Alexander A. Vandegrift | Colonel | 1937 | 1940 | Major General Thomas Holcomb Thomas Holcomb General Thomas Holcomb was the seventeenth Commandant of the United States Marine Corps . He was the first Marine to achieve the rank of General. After retiring from the Marine Corps, Holcomb served as Minister to South Africa .-Early years:Holcomb was born on August 5, 1879 in New Castle, Delaware... |
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| 2 | Wiliam C. James | Colonel | 1940 | 1942 | Major General Thomas Holcomb Thomas Holcomb General Thomas Holcomb was the seventeenth Commandant of the United States Marine Corps . He was the first Marine to achieve the rank of General. After retiring from the Marine Corps, Holcomb served as Minister to South Africa .-Early years:Holcomb was born on August 5, 1879 in New Castle, Delaware... |
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| 3 | Harry Schmidt | Brigadier General | 1942 | 1942 | Major General Thomas Holcomb Thomas Holcomb General Thomas Holcomb was the seventeenth Commandant of the United States Marine Corps . He was the first Marine to achieve the rank of General. After retiring from the Marine Corps, Holcomb served as Minister to South Africa .-Early years:Holcomb was born on August 5, 1879 in New Castle, Delaware... |
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| 4 | Frederick C. McConnell | Colonel | 1942 | 1944 | Major General Thomas Holcomb Thomas Holcomb General Thomas Holcomb was the seventeenth Commandant of the United States Marine Corps . He was the first Marine to achieve the rank of General. After retiring from the Marine Corps, Holcomb served as Minister to South Africa .-Early years:Holcomb was born on August 5, 1879 in New Castle, Delaware... |
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| 5 | Joeseph C. Burger | Colonel | 1944 | 1946 | General Alexander A. Vandegrift | ||
| 6 | Donald Curtis | Colonel | 1946 | 1948 | General Alexander A. Vandegrift until 1947 General Clifton B. Cates Clifton B. Cates General Clifton Bledsoe Cates , USMC, was the 19th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps... until 1948 |
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| 7 | Edwin A Pollock | Colonel | 1948 | 1949 | General Clifton B. Cates Clifton B. Cates General Clifton Bledsoe Cates , USMC, was the 19th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps... |
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| 8 | Joseph H. Berry | Colonel | 1949 | 1951 | General Clifton B. Cates Clifton B. Cates General Clifton Bledsoe Cates , USMC, was the 19th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps... |
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| 9 | Victor H. Krulak Victor H. Krulak Victor H. Krulak was a decorated United States Marine Corps officer who saw action in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He was born in Denver, Colorado to Jewish parents... |
Colonel | 1952 | 1956 | General Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr. Lemuel Cornick Shepherd, Jr. was a four-star general of the United States Marine Corps. A veteran of World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, he was the 20th Commandant of the Marine Corps... |
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| 10 | Ormand R. Simpson | Colonel | 1956 | 1958 | General Randolph Mc. Pate | ||
| 11 | Roy L. Kline | Brigadier General | 1958 | 1960 | General Randolph Mc. Pate | ||
| 12 | John P. Coursey | Brigadier General | 1960 | 1962 | General David M. Shoup David M. Shoup General David Monroe Shoup, Hon. DSO was a World War II Medal of Honor recipient and the twenty-second Commandant of the United States Marine Corps . After his retirement, he was a vocal critic of the Vietnam War.-Early years:David Monroe Shoup was born on December 30, 1904 in Battle Ground, Indiana... |
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| 13 | Oscar T. Jensen, Jr. | Colonel | 1963 | 1963 | General David M. Shoup David M. Shoup General David Monroe Shoup, Hon. DSO was a World War II Medal of Honor recipient and the twenty-second Commandant of the United States Marine Corps . After his retirement, he was a vocal critic of the Vietnam War.-Early years:David Monroe Shoup was born on December 30, 1904 in Battle Ground, Indiana... |
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| 14 | James O. Appleyard | Colonel | 1964 | 1966 | General Wallace M. Greene, Jr. | ||
| 15 | Foster C. La Hue | Brigadier General | 1965 | 1967 | General Wallace M. Greene, Jr. | ||
| 16 | Carl W. Hoffman | Colonel | 1967 | 1967 | General Wallace M. Greene, Jr. | ||
| 17 | Fred E. Haynes, Jr. | Colonel | 1968 | 1968 | General Leonard F. Chapman, Jr. Leonard F. Chapman, Jr. Leonard Fielding Chapman, Jr. was the 24th Commandant of the Marine Corps and served in that capacity from 1968 to 1972. He was World War II combat veteran — being decorated for his actions in the Battle of Peleliu and the Battle of Okinawa. He retired from the Marine Corps after 37 years... |
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| 18 | Emmett O. Anglin, Jr. | Colonel | 1968 | 1971 | General Leonard F. Chapman, Jr. Leonard F. Chapman, Jr. Leonard Fielding Chapman, Jr. was the 24th Commandant of the Marine Corps and served in that capacity from 1968 to 1972. He was World War II combat veteran — being decorated for his actions in the Battle of Peleliu and the Battle of Okinawa. He retired from the Marine Corps after 37 years... |
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| 19 | Andrew E. O'Donnell | Colonel | 1969 | 1971 | General Leonard F. Chapman, Jr. Leonard F. Chapman, Jr. Leonard Fielding Chapman, Jr. was the 24th Commandant of the Marine Corps and served in that capacity from 1968 to 1972. He was World War II combat veteran — being decorated for his actions in the Battle of Peleliu and the Battle of Okinawa. He retired from the Marine Corps after 37 years... |
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| 20 | George R. Brier | Colonel | 1971 | 1972 | General Leonard F. Chapman, Jr. Leonard F. Chapman, Jr. Leonard Fielding Chapman, Jr. was the 24th Commandant of the Marine Corps and served in that capacity from 1968 to 1972. He was World War II combat veteran — being decorated for his actions in the Battle of Peleliu and the Battle of Okinawa. He retired from the Marine Corps after 37 years... and General Robert E. Cushman |
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| 21 | Robert E. Howard, Jr. | Colonel | 1972 | 1974 | General Robert E. Cushman | ||
| 22 | Ross L. Mulford | Colonel | 1974 | 1976 | General Robert E. Cushman until 1975 and General Louis H. Wilson, Jr. Louis H. Wilson, Jr. General Louis Hugh Wilson, Jr. was a World War II recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Guam, and 26th Commandant of the Marine Corps.-Early life:Louis was born in Brandon, Mississippi... until 1976 |
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| 23 | Robert C. Hagerty | Colonel | 1976 | 1978 | General Louis H. Wilson, Jr. Louis H. Wilson, Jr. General Louis Hugh Wilson, Jr. was a World War II recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Guam, and 26th Commandant of the Marine Corps.-Early life:Louis was born in Brandon, Mississippi... |
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| 24 | John B. Donovan, Jr. | Colonel | 1978 | 1979 | General Louis H. Wilson, Jr. Louis H. Wilson, Jr. General Louis Hugh Wilson, Jr. was a World War II recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Guam, and 26th Commandant of the Marine Corps.-Early life:Louis was born in Brandon, Mississippi... |
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| 25 | Darell U. Davidson | Colonel | 1979 | 1980 | General Robert H. Barrow Robert H. Barrow Robert Hilliard Barrow was an American general, who was the 27th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps from 1979 to 1983. Barrow served for 41 years, including overseas command duty in three wars... |
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| 26 | Walter R. Ledbetter, Jr. | Colonel | 1980 | 1981 | General Robert H. Barrow Robert H. Barrow Robert Hilliard Barrow was an American general, who was the 27th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps from 1979 to 1983. Barrow served for 41 years, including overseas command duty in three wars... |
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| 27 | James H. R. Curd | Colonel | 1981 | 1983 | General Robert H. Barrow Robert H. Barrow Robert Hilliard Barrow was an American general, who was the 27th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps from 1979 to 1983. Barrow served for 41 years, including overseas command duty in three wars... |
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| 28 | Joseph H. Alexander | Colonel | 1983 | 1985 | General Paul X. Kelley Paul X. Kelley General Paul Xavier Kelley was the twenty-eighth Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, from July 1, 1983 to June 30, 1987.... |
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| 29 | Edward M. Mockler | Colonel | 1985 | 1986 | General Paul X. Kelley Paul X. Kelley General Paul Xavier Kelley was the twenty-eighth Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, from July 1, 1983 to June 30, 1987.... |
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| 30 | Terry J. Ebbert | Colonel | 1986 | 1987 | General Paul X. Kelley Paul X. Kelley General Paul Xavier Kelley was the twenty-eighth Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, from July 1, 1983 to June 30, 1987.... |
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| 31 | Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. Harvey C. Barnum, Jr. Colonel Harvey Curtiss Barnum, Jr. , is a retired United States Marine Corps officer who received the Medal of Honor for valor during the Vietnam War. He was the fourth Marine to receive the medal for valor in Vietnam. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1989 after more than 27 years of service... |
Colonel | 1987 | 1989 | General Alfred M. Gray, Jr. Alfred M. Gray, Jr. Alfred M. Gray, Jr. , is a retired United States Marine Corps general who served as the twenty-ninth Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1987-91. He retired from the Corps in 1991 after 41 years of service.-Personal:Alfred M. Gray, Jr... |
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| 32 | General James L. Jones, Jr. | Colonel | 1989 | 1990 | General Alfred M. Gray, Jr. Alfred M. Gray, Jr. Alfred M. Gray, Jr. , is a retired United States Marine Corps general who served as the twenty-ninth Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1987-91. He retired from the Corps in 1991 after 41 years of service.-Personal:Alfred M. Gray, Jr... |
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| 33 | Richard A. Combs | Colonel | 1990 | 1991 | General Alfred M. Gray, Jr. Alfred M. Gray, Jr. Alfred M. Gray, Jr. , is a retired United States Marine Corps general who served as the twenty-ninth Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1987-91. He retired from the Corps in 1991 after 41 years of service.-Personal:Alfred M. Gray, Jr... |
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| 34 | Peter T. Metzger | Colonel | 1991 | 1992 | General Carl E. Mundy, Jr. | ||
| 35 | James C. Flynn | Colonel | 1992 | 1995 | General Carl E. Mundy, Jr. | ||
| 36 | Russell E. Appleton | Colonel | 1995 | 1998 | General Charles C. Krulak Charles C. Krulak General Charles Chandler Krulak served as the 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps from July 1, 1995 to June 30, 1999. He is the son of Lieutenant General Victor H. "Brute" Krulak, USMC, who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam... |
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| 37 | John R. Allen John R. Allen John R. Allen is a United States Marine Corps four-star general. On 18 July 2011, General Allen assumed command of International Security Assistance Force as Commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan , succeeding Army General David Petraeus.-Education:John R. Allen attended The Flint Hill School in... |
Colonel | 1998 | 1999 | General Charles C. Krulak Charles C. Krulak General Charles Chandler Krulak served as the 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps from July 1, 1995 to June 30, 1999. He is the son of Lieutenant General Victor H. "Brute" Krulak, USMC, who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam... |
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| 38 | Dennis J. Hejlik | Colonel | 1999 | 2001 | General James L. Jones, Jr. | ||
| 39 | George J. Flynn | Colonel | 2001 | 2002 | General James L. Jones, Jr. | ||
| 40 | Robert E. Schmidle, Jr. | Colonel | 2002 | 2003 | General James L. Jones, Jr. until 2003 and General Michael W. Hagee until 2003 | ||
| 41 | James C. Walker | Colonel | 2003 | 2006 | General Michael W. Hagee | ||
| 42 | Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr. | Brigadier General | 2006 | 2007 | General Michael W. Hagee and until 2006 and General James T. Conway James T. Conway James Terry Conway is a retired United States Marine Corps four-star general who was the 34th Commandant of the Marine Corps... until 2007 |
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| 43 | George F. Milburn | Colonel | 2007 | 2010 | Colonel | General James T. Conway James T. Conway James Terry Conway is a retired United States Marine Corps four-star general who was the 34th Commandant of the Marine Corps... |
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| 44 | George W. Smith Jr. | Brigadier General | 2010 | 2011 | General James F. Amos James F. Amos James F. Amos is a four-star general in the United States Marine Corps and the 35th and current Commandant of the Marine Corps. A naval aviator by trade, Amos commanded the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and 2004. He served as the 31st Assistant Commandant of the... |
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| 45 | James W. Bierman Jr. | Colonel | 2011 | Present | General James F. Amos James F. Amos James F. Amos is a four-star general in the United States Marine Corps and the 35th and current Commandant of the Marine Corps. A naval aviator by trade, Amos commanded the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and 2004. He served as the 31st Assistant Commandant of the... |
See also
- Commandant of the Marine CorpsCommandant of the Marine CorpsThe Commandant of the Marine Corps is normally the highest ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps and is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff...
- Assistant Commandant of the Marine CorpsAssistant Commandant of the Marine CorpsThe Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps is the second highest ranking officer in the United States Marine Corps, and serves as a deputy for the Commandant of the Marine Corps...
- Sergeant Major of the Marine CorpsSergeant Major of the Marine CorpsSergeant Major of the Marine Corps is a unique non-commissioned rank and billet in the United States Marine Corps....
External links
- http://www.marines.mil/Pages/Default.aspx
- http://www.marines.mil/unit/hqmc/cmc/Pages/default.aspx