Man with Arizona ties tapped by Trump to head Marine Corps

PHOENIX — A lieutenant general who once served as an instructor in Arizona was nominated by President Donald Trump this week to lead the U.S. Marine Corps.

Lt. Gen. David H. Berger would serve as the 38th commandant upon final confirmation from the Senate, Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan announced.

Berger’s nomination was received on Tuesday, according to a congressional posting.

The Committee on Armed Services, which Sen. Martha McSally is a member, will debate the nomination at a later date.

The three-star general and career infantry officer served as an instructor as a field grade officer at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One in Yuma, according to the Marine Corps.

Just Announced: @realDonaldTrump nominated Lt. Gen. David H. Berger to become the 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps. pic.twitter.com/WOjFIpGvjw

— U.S. Marines (@USMC) March 27, 2019

If he is confirmed, Berger would pin on a fourth star and relieve Gen. Robert B. Neller as the next top Marine. Neller will retire this fall after 44 years of service.

Berger is currently serving as commanding general of the Marine Corps Combat Development Command in Virginia, according to Military.com.

He joined the Marine Corps in 1981 and has since served in multiple prestigious assignments, including as the commanding general for the 1st Marine Division in the Afghanistan war.

Prior to his current post, Berger oversaw all West Coast-based Marines as the head of I Marine Expeditionary Force.

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