David H. Berger

David H. Berger
Official portrait, 2019
Born (1959-12-21) December 21, 1959 (age 64)
Dover, Delaware, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Marine Corps
Years of service1981–2023
RankGeneral
Commands held
Battles/wars
Awards
Alma mater

David Hilberry Berger (born December 21, 1959) is a retired United States Marine Corps general who served as the 38th commandant of the Marine Corps from 2019 to 2023.

Since his commissioning in 1981, Berger served in a variety of command and staff billets, including his participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Early life and education

David Hilberry Berger was born on December 21, 1959. He is a native of Woodbine, Maryland. He graduated from Glenelg High School in 1977.

Berger holds a BSc in engineering from Tulane University, and two Master's degrees, one in International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University, and the other in Military Studies.

Berger's formal military education includes the United States Army Infantry Officer Advanced Course, United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and United States Marine Corps School of Advanced Warfighting. He is a graduate of the United States Army Ranger School, United States Army Jumpmaster School, United States Navy Dive School, and United States Marine Corps Amphibious Reconnaissance School.

Marine career

Berger was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1981 via NROTC following graduation from Tulane University with a degree in engineering. As a lieutenant and captain, he served as rifle platoon commander in India Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division and later as a company commander and battalion operations officer in 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion during Operation Desert Storm. He also served as officer selection officer in Roanoke, Virginia.

As a field grade officer, Berger was an instructor at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) in Yuma, Arizona; instructor at III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Special Operations Training Group; and served on the Joint Staff as a policy planner in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, J-5.

Berger commanded 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines from 2002 to 2004, deploying the battalion first to Okinawa, and later to Haiti in support of Operation Secure Tomorrow. As a colonel, Berger commanded Regimental Combat Team 8 in Fallujah, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

While serving as assistant division commander of 2nd Marine Division, Berger was appointed to the rank of brigadier general. He then deployed to Kosovo, where he served for one year as chief of staff for Kosovo Force (KFOR) Headquarters in Pristina. From 2009 to 2011 he served at Headquarters Marine Corps as the director of operations in plans, policies, and operations. In 2012 he deployed to Afghanistan as the commanding general of 1st Marine Division (forward) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Berger served as commanding general of Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center from 2013 to 2014. In July 2014, Berger was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and assumed command of I Marine Expeditionary Force. He subsequently assumed command of United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. On August 28, 2018, Berger assumed the billets of Commanding General of Marine Corps Combat Development Command and Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration.

On March 26, 2019, he was nominated by President Donald Trump to succeed General Robert B. Neller and become the 38th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 5, and took command in a ceremony held July 11 at the Marine Barracks in Washington D.C.

On July 17, 2019, Berger issued his guidance for the Marine Corps: "The Commandant’s Planning Guidance (CPG) provides the 38th Commandant’s strategic direction for the Marine Corps and mirrors the function of the Secretary of Defense’s Defense Planning Guidance (DPG). It serves as the authoritative document for Service-level planning and provides a common direction to the Marine Corps Total Force." Highlights include refocusing the Marine Corps on high-end combat, shifting away from legacy platforms like tanks and artillery in favor of long-range missiles and drones.

In February 2022, Berger was the keynote speaker for the 67th MSC Student Conference on National Affairs at Texas A&M University.

Berger's term as commandant ended on July 10, 2023, with him relinquishing office to his assistant commandant, Eric M. Smith.

Awards and decorations

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Gold star
Gold star
Gold star
Bronze star
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Bronze star
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Bronze star
Silver star
Silver star
Bronze star
SCUBA Diver Badge
Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit with Combat V Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal with one gold award star
Joint Service Commendation Medal Navy Commendation Medal with award star Combat Action Ribbon with award star Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Navy Unit Commendation with two bronze service stars Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with three service stars National Defense Service Medal with service star Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal with three service stars Kosovo Campaign Medal with service star Afghanistan Campaign Medal with service star Iraq Campaign Medal with two service stars
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Korea Defense Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal with service star Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with ten service stars
Marine Corps Recruiting Service Ribbon NATO Medal Non-Article 5 for the Balkans with service star Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Expert Rifle Badge (5th award) Expert Pistol Badge (2nd award)
Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

This page was last updated at 2024-02-05 13:02 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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