United States Marine Corps Forces Command

Service component command of the U.S. Marine Corps

United States Marine Corps Forces Command

Active| 13 July 1992 – present
(as Marine Corps Forces Atlantic)
Country|  United States of America
Branch|  United States Marine Corps
Type| Marine Combined arms
Role| Amphibious and expeditionary warfare
Garrison/HQ| Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads
Norfolk, VA
Commanders
Commander| LtGen Roberta L. Shea
Deputy Commander| BGen Thomas M. Armas
Sergeant Major| SgtMaj Aaron G. McDonald
Insignia
Marine Corps Forces Northern Command|

Military unit

The Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command (COMMARFORCOM), headquartered at the Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads in Norfolk, Virginia, commands service retained-operating forces; executes force sourcing and synchronization to affect force generation actions in the provisioning of joint capable Marine Corps forces, and directs deployment planning and execution of service retained-operating forces in support of Combatant Commander (CCDR) and service requirements; serves as Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (CG FMFLANT) and commands embarked Marine Corps forces; coordinates Marine Corps-Navy integration of operational initiatives and advises CDR U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) on support to Marine Corps forces assigned to naval ships, bases, and installations; conducts Service directed operational tasks as required. COMMARFORCOM is also the Commander, Marine Corps Forces Northern Command (MARFORNORTH), the Marine service component command of U.S. Northern Command.

## History

[edit]

It was established on 13 July 1992 as Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic (MARFORLANT), and was renamed Marine Corps Forces Command on 30 December 2004. Between 1994 and 1997 its headquarters was briefly moved to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, before returning to Norfolk. The Commander of Marine Forces Atlantic (since 2004 the Marine Corps Forces Command) is also simultaneously the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (FMFLANT).[1]

During the 1990s, Marine Forces Atlantic was one of the two active field commands of the Marine Corps, along with the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC). The Commander of MARFORLANT (and later MARFORCOM) was also simultaneously the Commander-designate of Marine Corps Forces Europe (MARFOREUR) and Marine Corps Forces South (MARFORSOUTH), while the Commander of MARFORPAC was the Commander-designate for Marine Corps Forces Central Command (MARCENT) and Marine Corps Forces Korea (MARFORK).[2] The "designate" commands had a minimal staff during peacetime that would be activated and become part of a larger component command in the event of a war.[3]

In 2015, both Marine Forces Europe/Africa and Marine Forces South became fully independent headquarters with dedicated commanders.[4][5]

In 2020, the responsibility for leading Marine Corps Forces Northern Command (MARFORNORTH) was transferred to the commander of MARFORCOM, after previously being held by the commander of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.[6][7]

## Organization

[edit]

As COMMARFORCOM, commands Service retained-operational forces. As CG FMFLANT, commands Service retained-operational forces embarked aboard Naval shipping. As COMMARFORNORTH, advises the U.S. Northern Command on the usage of Marine Corps forces in homeland defense operations.

* Status and Command Relationships. MARFORCOM is a Service retained component headquarters with the following command relationships.
* COMMARFORCOM reports to the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC).
* COMMARFORCOM commands and exercises administrative control (ADCON) of the following subordinate commands:
* II Marine Expeditionary Force (II MEF)
* Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command (HQSVCBN)
* Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group (MCSCG)
* Marine Corps Security Force Regiment (MCSFR)
* Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (MCESG)
* Chemical Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF)
* Marine Corps Information Command (MARCOR INFOCOM). The Commander of Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command serves as the Commanding General (CG) of MARCOR INFOCOM.

## List of commanders

[edit]

No. | Commander[8] | Term

|
|

Portrait  | Name  | Took office  | Left office  | Term length
Commander, United States Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic

| Keys, William M.Lieutenant General
William M. Keys
(born 1937)| July 1991| 30 June 1994| ~2 years, 364 days

| Johnston, Robert B.Lieutenant General
Robert B. Johnston
(1941–2023)| 1 July 1994| August 1995| ~1 year, 31 days

| Wilhelm, Charles E.Lieutenant General
Charles E. Wilhelm
(born 1941)| August 1995| 23 November 1997| ~2 years, 114 days

| Pace, PeterLieutenant General
Peter Pace
(born 1945)| 23 November 1997| 8 September 2000| 2 years, 290 days

| Ayres, Raymond P.Lieutenant General
Raymond P. Ayres
(born 1944)| 8 September 2000| 15 August 2002| 1 year, 341 days

| Berndt, Martin R.Lieutenant General
Martin R. Berndt
(born 1941)| 15 August 2002| 15 August 2004| 2 years, 0 days

| Blackman, Robert R. Jr.Lieutenant General
Robert R. Blackman Jr.
(born 1948)| 15 August 2004| 18 July 2007| 2 years, 337 days
Commander, United States Marine Corps Forces Command

| Weber, Joseph F.Lieutenant General
Joseph F. Weber
(born 1950)| 18 July 2007[9]| 1 August 2008| 1 year, 14 days

| Natonski, Richard F.Lieutenant General
Richard F. Natonski
(born 1951)| 1 August 2008| 17 August 2010| 2 years, 16 days
10|

| Hejik, Dennis J.Lieutenant General
Dennis J. Hejlik
(born 1947)| 17 August 2010[10]| 20 July 2012[11]| 1 year, 338 days
11|

| Paxton, John M. Jr.Lieutenant General
John M. Paxton Jr.
(born 1951)| 20 July 2012[11]| 13 December 2012[12]| 146 days

| Crowe, W. BlakeBrigadier General
W. Blake Crowe
(born 1967)
Acting| 13 December 2012| 28 June 2013| 197 days
12|

| Tryon, Richard T.Lieutenant General
Richard T. Tryon
(born c. 1954)| 28 June 2013[13]| 1 July 2014| 1 year, 3 days
13|

| Neller, Robert B.Lieutenant General
Robert B. Neller
(born 1953)| 1 July 2014| 23 September 2015| 1 year, 84 days

| Gering, Bradford J.Brigadier General
Bradford J. Gering
(born 1967)
Acting| 23 September 2015| 18 December 2015| 86 days
14|

| Wissler, John E.Lieutenant General
John E. Wissler
(born 1956)| 18 December 2015[14]| 14 August 2017| 1 year, 239 days
15|

| Brilakis, Mark A.Lieutenant General
Mark A. Brilakis
(born 1958)| 14 August 2017[15]| 3 July 2019| 1 year, 323 days
16|

| Hedelund, Robert F.Lieutenant General
Robert F. Hedelund
(born 1961)| 3 July 2019[16]| 25 October 2021| 2 years, 114 days

| Langley, Michael E.Major General
Michael E. Langley
(born c. 1963)
Acting| 25 October 2021| 3 November 2021| 9 days
17|

| Langley, Michael E.Lieutenant General
Michael E. Langley
(born c. 1963)| 3 November 2021[17]| 4 August 2022| 274 days

| Kelliher, John F. IIIBrigadier General
John F. Kelliher III
Acting| 4 August 2022| 30 August 2022| 26 days
18|

| Cavanaugh, Brian W.Lieutenant General
Brian W. Cavanaugh
(born 1968)| 30 August 2022[18]| 6 August 2024| 1 year, 342 days
19|

| Shea, Roberta L.Lieutenant General
Roberta L. Shea
(born c. 1967)| 6 August 2024| Incumbent| 362 days

## See also

[edit]

U.S. Armed Forces operations commands

* United States Army Forces Command
* United States Fleet Forces Command
* Air Combat Command
* Space Operations Command

## References

[edit]

This article incorporates text in the public domain from the United States Marine Corps.

1. ^ MARINE CORPS FORCES COMMAND. Marine Corps University. Published 6 June 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
2. ^ Current Operations. Headquarters Marine Corps, 6 April 1998.
3. ^ History of Marine Forces Europe and Africa. U.S. Marines. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
4. ^ Hodge Seck, Hope (30 June 2015). 1-star becomes first dedicated commander of Marine Forces South. Military Times. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
5. ^ Beardsley, Steven (18 August 2015). Marines to place Europe-Africa command under 2-star in Germany. Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
6. ^ TRANSFER OF AUTHORITY OF MARFORNORTH FROM COMMARFORRES TO COMMARFORCOM. U.S. Marines. Published 8 December 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
7. ^ U.S. Marine Corps Forces Northern Command Transfer of Authority to U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. Published 8 December 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
8. ^ "Former Commanders". United States Marine Corps Forces, Atlantic. Archived from the original on 2 July 2001. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
9. ^ "Q&A with Lt. Gen. Joseph F. Weber". Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer. October 2007.
10. ^ "Lieutenant General Dennis J. Hejlik, Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command". Archived from the original on 2 December 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
11. ^ a b Todd, David (25 July 2012). "Hejlik closes out extensive military career; remains true to Marine core values". Military News.
12. ^ McAdam, Scott (13 December 2012). "Paxton Relinquishes Command, MARFORCOM". DVIDS. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
13. ^ "MARFORCOM change of command".
14. ^ "Wissler assumes command of MARFORCOM, FMF Atlantic". U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
15. ^ "NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY HAMPTON ROADS - (Right to left) Lt. Gen. John E. Wissler, Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command, passes the unit colors to Lt. Gen. Mark A. Brilakis during a change of command ceremony at POW/MIA Field aboard Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads, Aug. 14. Lt. Gen. Wissler assumed command of MARFORCOM in December 2015. Lt. Gen. Brilakis most recently served as the Deputy Commandant of Manpower and Reserve Affairs at Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington D.C." www.marines.mil. 14 August 2017.
16. ^ Braden, Jessika (3 July 2019). "MARFORCOM welcomes new commanding general". DVIDS.
17. ^ "Lieutenant General Michael E. Langley". U.S. Marine Corps. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
18. ^ Alvarado, Angel (30 August 2022). "The Incoming Commander [Image 4 of 13]". DVIDS. Norfolk, Virginia: Fleet Marine Force Atlantic, Marine Forces Command, Marine Forces Northern Command. Retrieved 31 August 2022.

* "Marine Forces Command website". United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 14 September 2011.

* v
* t
* e

United States Marine Corps

Leadership|

* Secretary of the Navy
* Under Secretary of the Navy
* Commandant of the Marine Corps
* Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps
* Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
* Military Secretary to the Commandant of the Marine Corps
* Marine Corps four-star generals
* Marine Corps three-star generals
* 1942–1959
* 2000–2009
* 2010–present

| US Congress|

* House Armed Services Committee
* Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee
* Senate Armed Services Committee
* Seapower subcommittee

|

Major
commands|

* Organization of the Marine Corps
* Headquarters Marine Corps
* Marine Forces Command
* II Marine Expeditionary Force
* Marine Forces Pacific
* I Marine Expeditionary Force
* III Marine Expeditionary Force
* Marine Forces Reserve
* Fleet Marine Force
* Atlantic
* Pacific
* Marine Corps Combat Development Command
* Training & Education Command (TECOM)
* United States Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory
* Marine Corps Systems Command

Auxiliary|

* Marine Corps Cyber Auxiliary

Structure|

* Marine air–ground task force
* Bases
* Battalions
* Regiments
* Brigades
* Divisions
* MEF/Corps
* Marine aviation
* Marine expeditionary unit
* Marine Security Guard
* Special Operations
* Marine Raiders
* Marine Raider Regiment
* Recon
* Force
* Division

Others: List of current formation types of the United States Marine Corps

Personnel
and training|

| Personnel|

Rank insignia
MOS
Notable Marines
Historical Marines
Marine Astronauts
Criminal Investigation Division
Judge Advocate Division
Chaplain of the Marine Corps
Associated organizations

|

Training|

Recruit Training
School of Infantry
Officer Candidates School
The Basic School
Martial Arts Program

Uniforms
and equipment|

* Uniforms
* Awards
* Badges
* Weapons
* Vehicles and aircraft
* Individual equipment

History
and traditions|

* History
* Culture
* Acronyms and terms
* Birthday
* Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps
* Eagle, Globe, and Anchor
* Flag
* Marine Band
* Drum and Bugle Corps
* Horse Marines
* Marine One
* Color Guard
* Silent Drill Platoon
* White House Sentries
* Service Numbers
* Marine Corps War Memorial
* Marine Detachments
* "Marines' Hymn"
* Oorah
* History Division
* National Museum
* Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima
* Rifleman's Creed
* Semper Fidelis
* march
* History of Hispanics in the USMC
* History of women in the USMC
* Women's Reserve
* Honorary Marine
* Toys for Tots
* Gung ho

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Major Commands of the United States Marine Corps

Headquarters Marine Corps

Operating Forces

Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic|

|  Marine Forces, Command
and Marine Forces, North|

|  II Marine Expeditionary Force|

• 2nd Marine Division
• 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
• 2nd Marine Logistics Group
• 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade
• 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit
• 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
• 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit

|

•  Marine Forces, Europe and Africa
•  Marine Forces, South
• Marine Forces, Strategic Command
•  Marine Forces, Space Command

Fleet Marine Force, Pacific|

|  Marine Forces, Pacific|

|  I Marine Expeditionary Force|

• 1st Marine Division
• 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing
• 1st Marine Logistics Group
• 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade
• 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit
• 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit
• 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit

|

III Marine Expeditionary Force|

• 3rd Marine Division
• 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
• 3rd Marine Logistics Group
• 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade
• 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit

•  Marine Forces, Central Command
•  Marine Forces, Korea

Operating Contingent Forces|

|  Marine Forces Reserve|

• 4th Marine Division
• 4th Marine Aircraft Wing
• 4th Marine Logistics Group
• Force Headquarters Group

|

others|

• Marine Corps Security Force Regiment
• Marine Corps Embassy Security Group
• Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1)
• Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC)

Support Establishment

Support Establishment|

• Combat Development Command • Marine Corps Recruit Depots • Marine Corps Logistics Command • Marine Corps Recruiting Command • Marine Band

Marine Corps Installations Command|

• Marine Corps Installations East • Marine Corps Installations West • Marine Corps Installations Pacific
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