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:
  • 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...

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...

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...

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...

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
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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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
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
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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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....

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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
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...

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...

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 Corps
    Commandant of the Marine Corps
    The 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 Corps
    Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps
    The 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 Corps
    Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps
    Sergeant 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
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