Robert Neller

Robert Blake Neller (born February 9, 1953) is a retired United States Marine Corps four-star general who served as the 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps.[1] He assumed his assignment on September 24, 2015 and retired on July 11, 2019. He was succeeded by David H. Berger.

Robert B. Neller
Born	February 9, 1953 Camp Polk, Louisiana
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1975–2019
Rank	General
Commands held	Commandant of the Marine Corps United States Marine Corps Forces Command Marine Corps University 3rd Marine Division 6th Marine Regiment
Battles/wars	Operation Restore Hope United States invasion of Panama Iraq War
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal (2)

Early life

Neller was born in Camp Polk, Louisiana on February 9, 1953.[2] A native of East Lansing, Michigan, he graduated from East Lansing High School in 1971.[3][4] He enrolled in the University of Virginia and, at graduation, received his commission through Officer Candidates School via the Platoon Leaders Class program in May 1975.[5]

Marine career

Neller's assignments in the operating forces include: Rifle and Weapons Platoon Commander and Company Commander with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division; Commanding Officer, Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines; Commanding Officer, 3rd Light Armored Infantry Battalion (LAI) and Commanding Officer, 6th Marine Regiment from 10 July 1998 to 6 July 2000.[6] While with 3rd LAI he participated in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. As the Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Security Force Company, Panama, he participated in Operations Just Cause and Promote Liberty. Additionally, he served as Executive Officer, 7th Marine Regiment, G-3, II Marine Expeditionary Force and G-3, 2nd Marine Division.[5]

Other assignments include recruit series officer, aide-de-camp and as Director of Special Training Division MCRD San Diego, California. Neller served as Student Company Executive Officer and Tactics Instructor at The Basic School, Quantico, Virginia, and in Special Projects Directorate Headquarters Marine Corps. Additionally, he served as a Staff Officer in the Policy Division of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Casteau, Belgium.[5]

General officer assignments

As a general officer, Neller has served as the Assistant Division Commander of 2d Marine Division; the Director, Operations Division, Plans, Policies and Operations; as the Deputy Commanding General (Operations), 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2005 to 2007, and as the Assistant Division Commander for 1st Marine Division. Neller commanded 3rd Marine Division and served as President, Marine Corps University. From January 2011 to July 2012, he served as Director for Operations, J3, The Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.[5]

Neller succeeded General Joseph Dunford as the 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps on September 24, 2015.

Education

Neller is a graduate of The Basic School, Armor Officer Advanced Course (now the Maneuver Captains Career Course), Marine Corps Command and Staff College, NATO Defense College, and the Armed Forces Staff College. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Speech Communication from the University of Virginia and a Master of Arts in Human Resource Management from Pepperdine University.[5] Neller is a member of Theta Chi fraternity.

Awards and decorations

1st row	Defense Distinguished Service Medal						Navy Distinguished Service Medal
2nd row	Legion of Merit			Bronze Star Medal			Defense Meritorious Service Medal			Meritorious Service Medal w/ 1 gold award star
3rd row	Joint Service Commendation Medal			Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal			Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal			Combat Action Ribbon w/ 1 award star
4th row	Joint Meritorious Unit Award w/ 1 silver oak leaf cluster			Navy Unit Commendation w/ 1 bronze service star			Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal			National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star
5th row	Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal			Iraq Campaign Medal w/ 2 service stars			Global War on Terrorism Service Medal			Armed Forces Service Medal
6th row	Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 1 silver and 2 bronze service stars			Navy Arctic Service Ribbon			Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon w/ 2 service stars			Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon
7th row	French National Order of Merit, Commander[7]			Brazilian Order of Naval Merit, Commander[8]			Order of National Security Merit, Tong-il Medal (Republic of Korea)			NATO Medal for Former Yugoslavia
Badges	Rifle Expert Badge (8th Award)						Pistol Expert Badge (16th Award)
Badge	Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

Notes

1. Miller, LCPL Thomas (August 9, 2018). "Lt.Gen. Berger relinquishes command to Lt.Gen. Craparotta". Press Release. Marine Corps Base Hawaii, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
2. https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-114shrg24274/pdf/CHRG-114shrg24274.pdf
3. Palmer, Ken (July 24, 2015). "East Lansing native set to become top U.S. Marine". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
4. http://www.allgov.com/news/appointments-and-resignations/commandant-of-the-us-marine-corps-who-is-robert-neller-151017?news=857653
5. "Lieutenant General Robert B. Neller, Commander". Marine Corps. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
6. "2ND MARINE DIVISION AND ITS REGIMENTS" (PDF). www.usmcu.edu. Retrieved March 9, 2017.
8. https://www.alamy.com/commandant-of-the-us-marine-corps-gen-robert-b-neller-speaks-with-a-guest-after-receiving-the-medal-of-naval-order-and-merit-for-superior-officers-from-commandant-of-the-brazilian-navy-adm-eduardo-bacellar-leal-ferreira-during-a-visit-to-the-brazilian-naval-headquarters-in-rio-de-janeiro-brazil-aug-23-2018-gen-neller-visited-us-southern-command-to-meet-with-military-leaders-to-discuss-readiness-and-ongoing-partnership-with-the-us-marine-corps-us-marine-corps-photo-by-sgt-olivia-g-ortiz-image216567304.html

External links

• Biography at Marine Forces Europe and Africa website
• Biography at USMC website
• Appearances on C-SPAN