View source for Commandant of the United States Marine Corps

{{Short description|Senior-most officer and service chief of the United States Marine Corps}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox official post
| post             = Commandant
| body             = the Marine Corps
| native_name      = 
| insignia         = Emblem of the United States Marine Corps.svg
| insigniasize     = 
| insigniacaption  = Emblem of the Marine Corps
| insigniaalt      = 
| flag             = FlagCMC.svg
| flagsize         = 
| flagalt          = 
| flagborder       = 
| flagcaption      = Flag of the commandant of the Marine Corps
| image            = Gen Smith Official Photo V1.jpg
| imagesize        = 
| alt              = 
| imagecaption     = 
| incumbent        = [[General (United States)|General]] [[Eric Smith (general)|Eric M. Smith]]
| acting           = 
| incumbentsince   = 22 September 2023
| department       = [[United States Marine Corps]]<br />[[Headquarters Marine Corps]]
| style            = 
| type             = 
| status           = 
| abbreviation     = CMC
| member_of        = [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]]
| reports_to       = [[United States Secretary of Defense|Secretary of Defense]]<br />[[United States Secretary of the Navy|Secretary of the Navy]]
| residence        = [[Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.|Marine Barracks]], [[Washington, D.C.]]
| seat             = [[The Pentagon]], [[Arlington County, Virginia|Arlington County]], [[Virginia]], U.S.
| nominator        = 
| appointer        = The [[President of the United States|President]]
| appointer_qualified = with [[United States Senate|Senate]] [[advice and consent]]
| termlength       = 4 years
| termlength_qualified = Renewable one time, only during war or national emergency
| constituting_instrument = {{UnitedStatesCode|10|8043}}
| precursor        = 
| inaugural        = 
| formation        = 10 November 1775<sup>''[[de facto]]''</sup>,<br />12 July 1798<sup>''[[de jure]]''</sup>
| founder          = 
| named_for        = 
| first            = [[Samuel Nicholas]]
| last             = 
| abolished        = 
| succession       = 
| unofficial_names = 
| deputy           = [[Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps]]
| salary           = 
| website          = [http://www.hqmc.marines.mil/cmc/Home.aspx Official website]
| footnotes        = 
}}
The '''commandant of the Marine Corps''' ('''CMC''') is normally the highest-ranking officer in the [[United States Marine Corps]]. It is a four-star general position and a member of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]].<ref name="USC10-151">{{UnitedStatesCode|10|151}} Joint Chiefs of Staff: composition; functions.</ref> The CMC reports directly to the [[United States Secretary of the Navy|secretary of the Navy]] and is responsible for ensuring the organization, policy, plans, and programs for the Marine Corps as well as advising the [[President of the United States|president]], the [[United States Secretary of Defense|secretary of defense]], the [[United States National Security Council|National Security Council]],<ref name="USC10-151"/> the [[United States Homeland Security Council|Homeland Security Council]],<ref name="USC10-151"/> and the secretary of the Navy on matters involving the Marine Corps. Under the authority of the secretary of the Navy, the CMC designates Marine personnel and resources to the commanders of [[unified combatant command]]s.<ref name="USC10-165">{{UnitedStatesCode|10|165}} Combatant commands: administration and support</ref> The commandant performs all other functions prescribed in Section 8043 in [[Title 10 of the United States Code]]<ref name="USC10-5043">{{UnitedStatesCode|10|5043}} Commandant of the Marine Corps</ref> or delegates those duties and responsibilities to other officers in his administration in his name. As with the other joint chiefs, the commandant is an administrative position and has no operational command authority over United States Marine Corps forces.

The commandant is nominated for appointment by the president, for a four-year term of office,<ref name="USC10-5043" /> and must be confirmed by the [[United States Senate|Senate]].<ref name="USC10-5043"/> The commandant can be reappointed to serve one additional term, but only during times of war or national emergency declared by Congress.<ref name="USC10-5043" /> By statute, the commandant is appointed as a four-star [[General (United States)|general]] while serving in office.<ref name="USC10-5043"/> "The commandant is directly responsible to the Secretary of the Navy for the total performance of the Marine Corps. This includes the administration, discipline, internal organization, training, requirements, efficiency, and readiness of the service. The Commandant is also responsible for the operation of the Marine Corps material support system."<ref name=2006Concepts>{{cite book|access-date=6 May 2007 |chapter-url=http://www.usmc.mil/units/hqmc/pandr/Documents/Concepts/2006/PDF/Appendicies%202006%20PDFs/2006Appx%20A%20pg252-254%20Intro%20and%20HQMC.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515121346/http://www.usmc.mil/units/hqmc/pandr/Documents/Concepts/2006/PDF/Appendicies%202006%20PDFs/2006Appx%20A%20pg252-254%20Intro%20and%20HQMC.pdf |archive-date=2008-05-15 |url-status=live|chapter=Appendix A: How the Marines Are Organized|page=252|title=Marine Corps Concepts and Programs 2006
|publisher=United States Marine Corps}}</ref> Since 1806, the official residence of the commandant has been located in the [[Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.|Marine Barracks]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], and his main offices are in [[Arlington County, Virginia]].

The 39th and current commandant is General [[Eric Smith (general)|Eric M. Smith]].

==Responsibilities==
The responsibilities of the commandant are outlined in Title 10, Section 5043, the [[United States Code]]<ref name="USC10-5043"/> and the position is "subject to the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of the Navy". As stated in the U.S. Code, the commandant "shall preside over the Headquarters, Marine Corps, transmit the plans and recommendations of the Headquarters, Marine Corps, to the Secretary and advise the Secretary with regard to such plans and recommendations, after approval of the plans or recommendations of the Headquarters, Marine Corps, by the Secretary, act as the agent of the Secretary in carrying them into effect, exercise supervision, consistent with the authority assigned to commanders of unified or specified combatant commands under chapter&nbsp;6 of this title, over such of the members and organizations of the Marine Corps and the Navy as the Secretary determines, perform the duties prescribed for him by section 171 of this title and other provisions of law and perform such other military duties, not otherwise assigned by law, as are assigned to him by the President, the Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary of the Navy".<ref name="USC10-5043"/>

==List of commandants==
Thirty-nine<ref name=CMC_HistoryDivision>{{cite web|access-date=21 October 2007 |url=http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Frequently_Requested/Commandants.htm|title=Commandants of the U.S. Marine Corps|work=Historical Topics: Frequently Requested|publisher=Reference Branch, [[United States Marine Corps History Division|History Division, United States Marine Corps]]|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219014344/http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Frequently_Requested/Commandants.htm|archive-date=19 December 2011}}</ref> men have served as the commandant of the Marine Corps. The first commandant was [[Samuel Nicholas]], who took office as a [[Captain (United States O-3)|captain]],<ref name="CMC_HistoryDivision"/> though there was no office titled "Commandant" at the time, and the [[Second Continental Congress]] had authorized that the senior-most Marine could take a rank up to [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]].<ref name="birth">{{cite web|url=http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Docs_Speeches/Continentialcongressestmarines1775.htm|title=Resolution Establishing the Continental Marines|last=Journal of the Continental Congress|date=10 November 1775|publisher=[[United States Marine Corps History Division]]|access-date=2 February 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101007204834/http://www.tecom.usmc.mil/HD/Docs_Speeches/Continentialcongressestmarines1775.htm|archive-date=7 October 2010}}</ref> The longest-serving was [[Archibald Henderson]], sometimes referred to as the "''Grand old man of the Marine Corps''" due to his 39-year tenure.<ref name="CMC_HistoryDivision"/> In the history of the [[United States Marine Corps]], only one commandant has ever been fired from the job: [[Anthony Gale]], as a result of a [[court-martial]] in 1820.<ref name="CMC_HistoryDivision"/>

{{Officeholder table start
| showorder          = y
| showimage          = y
| image_title        = Portrait
| officeholder_title = Commandant of the Marine Corps
| showtermlenght     = y
| showparty          = n
| showdefencebranch  = n
| showaltofficeholder    = y
| alt_officeholder_title = Notes
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 1
| image             = Portrait of First Leader of Marines, Maj. Samuel Nicholas.jpg
| military_rank     = Major
| officeholder      = [[Samuel Nicholas]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1744
| died_year         = 1790
| term_start        = 28 November 1775
| term_end          = 27 August 1783
| timeinoffice      = {{no wrap|{{ayd|28 November 1775|27 August 1783}}}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|The first ''[[de facto]]'' Commandant for his role as the senior-most officer of the [[Continental Marines]].<ref name="Hoffman">{{cite book|last=Hoffman |first=Col Jon T. |others=Beth L. Crumley (illustration editor), Charles J. Ziga (design), Col John Greenwood (editor), James O. Muschett (editor) |title=USMC: A Complete History |editor=Marine Corps Association |editor-link=Marine Corps Association |publisher=Hugh Lauter Levin Associates |year=2002 |isbn=0-88363-650-6 |url=http://www.mca-marines.org/gazette/bookindex02.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504103240/http://www.mca-marines.org/gazette/bookindex02.asp |archive-date=4 May 2009 }}</ref>}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 2
| image             = William W. Burrows.jpg
| military_rank     = Lieutenant Colonel
| officeholder      = [[William Ward Burrows I|William W. Burrows]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1758
| died_year         = 1805
| term_start        = 12 July 1798
| term_end          = 6 March 1804
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|12 July 1798|6 March 1804}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|The first ''[[de jure]]'' Commandant, he started many important organizations within the Marine Corps, including the [[United States Marine Band]]}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 3
| image             = Franklin Wharton.jpg
| military_rank     = Lieutenant Colonel
| officeholder      = [[Franklin Wharton]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1767
| died_year         = 1818
| term_start        = 7 March 1804
| term_end          = 1 September 1818
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|7 March 1804|1 September 1818}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|The first commandant to be court-martialed (acquitted) and the first to occupy the commandant's house at the [[Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.]]}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = -
| image             = Archibald Henderson.jpg
| military_rank     = Major
| officeholder      = [[Archibald Henderson]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1783
| died_year         = 1859
| term_start        = 16 September 1818
| term_end          = 2 March 1819
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|16 September 1818|2 March 1819}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Acting Commandant, would later serve as Commandant from 1820 to 1859}}
| acting            = y
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 4
| image             = Portrait gray.png
| military_rank     = Lieutenant Colonel
| officeholder      = [[Anthony Gale]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = unknown
| died_year         = 1843
| term_start        = 3 March 1819
| term_end          = 8 October 1820
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|3 March 1819|8 October 1820}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|The second Commandant to be court-martialed and the only Commandant to be fired. Burial location is unknown and no authenticated images have ever been located.}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 5
| image             = Archibald Henderson.jpg
| military_rank     = Brigadier General
| officeholder      = [[Archibald Henderson]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1783
| died_year         = 1859
| term_start        = 17 October 1820
| term_end          = 6 January 1859
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|17 October 1820|6 January 1859}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|The longest-serving Commandant; known as the "Grand old man of the Marine Corps"; known for his role in expanding the Marine Corps' mission to include [[expeditionary warfare]] and [[Rapid deployment force|rapid deployment]]<ref name="Fortitudine1">{{cite journal|last=Krivdo |first=Michael E. |date=2009 |title=Harpers Ferry: Last Action of "Henderson Era" |journal=Fortitudine |publisher=United States Marine Corps Historical Program |location=[[Marine Corps Base Quantico|Quantico]], VA |volume=34 |issue=4 |pages=7–11 |isbn=978-0-16-010404-6 |url=http://bookstore.gpo.gov/actions/GetPublication.do?stocknumber=708-084-00000-0 |access-date=1 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527130422/http://bookstore.gpo.gov/actions/GetPublication.do?stocknumber=708-084-00000-0 |archive-date=27 May 2010 }}</ref>}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 6
| image             = John Harris.jpg
| military_rank     = Colonel
| officeholder      = [[John Harris (USMC officer)|John Harris]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1793
| died_year         = 1864
| term_start        = 7 January 1859
| term_end          = 1 May 1864
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|7 January 1859|1 May 1864}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Commandant during most of the [[American Civil War]]}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 7
| image             = Jacob A. Zeilin.jpg
| military_rank     = Brigadier General
| officeholder      = [[Jacob Zeilin]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1806
| died_year         = 1880
| term_start        = 10 June 1864
| term_end          = 31 October 1876
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|10 June 1864|31 October 1876}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Became the Marine Corps' first [[general officer]], officially approved of the design of the [[Eagle, Globe, and Anchor]] as the emblem of the Marine Corps}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 8
| image             = Charles G. McCawley.jpg
| military_rank     = Colonel
| officeholder      = [[Charles Grymes McCawley|Charles G. McCawley]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1827
| died_year         = 1891
| term_start        = 1 November 1876
| term_end          = 29 January 1891
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 November 1876|29 January 1891}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Chose "''[[Semper fidelis|Semper Fidelis]]''", Latin for "Always Faithful", as the official Marine Corps motto}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 9
| image             = Charles Heywood.jpg
| military_rank     = Major General
| officeholder      = [[Charles Heywood]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1839
| died_year         = 1915
| term_start        = 30 June 1891
| term_end          = 2 October 1903
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|30 June 1891|2 October 1903}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Chose "''[[Semper fidelis|Semper Fidelis]]''", Latin for "Always Faithful", as the official Marine Corps motto; he was the first Commandant to reach the rank of [[Major General (United States)|Major General]]}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 10
| image             = George F. Elliott.jpg
| military_rank     = Major General
| officeholder      = [[George F. Elliott]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1846
| died_year         = 1931
| term_start        = 3 October 1903
| term_end          = 30 November 1910
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|3 October 1903|30 November 1910}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Successfully resisted attempts to remove seagoing Marines from [[capital ship]]s and to merge the Corps into the [[United States Army]]}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 11
| image             = William P. Biddle.jpg
| military_rank     = Major General
| officeholder      = [[William P. Biddle]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1853
| died_year         = 1923
| term_start        = 3 February 1911
| term_end          = 24 February 1914
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|3 February 1911|24 February 1914}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Established the [[Advanced Base Force]], forerunner of today's [[Fleet Marine Force]]}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 12
| image             = George Barnett.jpg
| military_rank     = Major General
| officeholder      = [[George Barnett]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1859
| died_year         = 1930
| term_start        = 25 February 1914
| term_end          = 30 June 1920
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|25 February 1914|30 June 1920}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Served as Commandant during [[World War I]], which caused a huge increase in personnel during his term}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 13
| image             = John A. Lejeune.jpg
| military_rank     = Major General
| officeholder      = [[John A. Lejeune]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1867
| died_year         = 1942
| term_start        = 1 July 1920
| term_end          = 4 March 1929
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 July 1920|4 March 1929}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Started the tradition of the [[United States Marine Corps birthday ball|birthday ball]] with Marine Corps Order 47, still read annually. Commanded a US Army division (the 2nd Infantry Division) in combat during World War I.}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 14
| image             = Wendell C. Neville.jpg
| military_rank     = Major General
| officeholder      = [[Wendell Cushing Neville|Wendell C. Neville]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1870
| died_year         = 1930
| term_start        = 5 March 1929
| term_end          = 8 July 1930
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|5 March 1929|8 July 1930}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Recipient of the [[Medal of Honor]] and [[Marine Corps Brevet Medal]]}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 15
| image             = MajGen Ben Hebard Fuller (cropped 2).jpg
| military_rank     = Major General
| officeholder      = [[Ben Hebard Fuller|Ben H. Fuller]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1870
| died_year         = 1937
| term_start        = 9 July 1930
| term_end          = 28 February 1934
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|9 July 1930|28 February 1934}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Consolidated the [[Fleet Marine Force]] concept}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 16
| image             = John H. Russell.jpg
| military_rank     = Major General
| officeholder      = [[John H. Russell Jr.]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1872
| died_year         = 1947
| term_start        = 1 March 1934
| term_end          = 30 November 1936
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 March 1934|30 November 1936}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|The system of seniority promotions of officers was changed to advancement by selection, the 1st Marine Brigade was withdrawn from Haiti, and the number of ships carrying Marine detachments continued to increase.}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 17
| image             = NH 49022 Lieutenant General Thomas Holcomb, USMC (cropped).jpg
| military_rank     = Lieutenant General
| officeholder      = [[Thomas Holcomb]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1879
| died_year         = 1965
| term_start        = 1 December 1936
| term_end          = 31 December 1943
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 December 1936|31 December 1943}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Expanded the Corps almost 20 times in size for [[World War II]] and integrated women into the Corps. The first Marine to be advanced (after retirement) to the rank of [[General (United States)|General]]}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 18
| image             = AAVandegrift.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Alexander Vandegrift]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1887
| died_year         = 1973
| term_start        = 1 January 1944
| term_end          = 31 December 1947
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 January 1944|31 December 1947}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Recipient of the [[Medal of Honor]]. Was the first active duty Marine to hold the rank of [[General (United States)|General]], resisted attempts to merge the Corps with the [[United States Army|Army]]}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 19
| image             = Clifton B. Cates.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Clifton B. Cates]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1893
| died_year         = 1970
| term_start        = 1 January 1948
| term_end          = 31 December 1951
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 January 1948|31 December 1951}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Recipient of the [[Navy Cross]]. Commandant during early stage of the [[Korean War]].}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 20
| image             = Lemuel Cornick Shepherd mlajsi.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr.]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1896
| died_year         = 1990
| term_start        = 1 January 1952
| term_end          = 31 December 1955
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 January 1952|31 December 1955}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Recipient of the [[Navy Cross]] and last [[World War I]] veteran to be Commandant. First Commandant to serve on the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]]. Commandant during the [[Korean War]].}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 21
| image             = GenRMPate USMC (cropped).jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Randolph M. Pate]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1898
| died_year         = 1961
| term_start        = 1 January 1956
| term_end          = 31 December 1959
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 January 1956|31 December 1959}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Commandant between U.S. involvement in the [[Korean War]] and [[Vietnam War]].}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 22
| image             = David Monroe Shoup (cropped).jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[David M. Shoup]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1904
| died_year         = 1983
| term_start        = 1 January 1960
| term_end          = 31 December 1963
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 January 1960|31 December 1963}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Recipient of the [[Medal of Honor]]. Opposed U.S. involvement in South Vietnam based on strategy and undue influence of corporations and military officials in foreign policy. Historians consider Shoup's criticisms to be among the most pointed and high-profile leveled by a veteran against the Vietnam War.}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 23
| image             = Wallace M. Greene.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Wallace M. Greene|Wallace M. Greene Jr.]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1907
| died_year         = 2003
| term_start        = 1 January 1964
| term_end          = 31 December 1967
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 January 1964|31 December 1967}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Oversaw the expansion of the Corps role in the [[Vietnam War]]}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 24
| image             = Leonard F. Chapman.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = {{no wrap|[[Leonard F. Chapman Jr.]]}}
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1913
| died_year         = 2000
| term_start        = 1 January 1968
| term_end          = 31 December 1971
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 January 1968|31 December 1971}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Was the commandant during the final years of U.S. involvement in the [[Vietnam War]]. During his period in command, the III Marine Amphibious Force withdrew from Vietnam and the strength of the Corps dropped from a peak of 289,000 to 198,000.}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 25
| image             = Robert E. Cushman.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Robert E. Cushman Jr.]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1914
| died_year         = 1985
| term_start        = 1 January 1972
| term_end          = 30 June 1975
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 January 1972|30 June 1975}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Oversaw the withdrawal of the Marines from [[Vietnam]] and a decline in the Corps' peacetime strength to 194,000}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 26
| image             = GEN Wilson, Louis Hugh Jr..jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Louis H. Wilson Jr.]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1920
| died_year         = 2005
| term_start        = 1 July 1975
| term_end          = 30 June 1979
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 July 1975|30 June 1979}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Recipient of the [[Medal of Honor]] for [[Battle of Guam (1944)|capture of Guam]]}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 27
| image             = Gen Robert H. Barrow.JPG
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Robert H. Barrow]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1922
| died_year         = 2008
| term_start        = 1 July 1979
| term_end          = 30 June 1983
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 July 1979|30 June 1983}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Last World War II veteran to be Commandant. Was the first Commandant to serve as a full member of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]], acquired approval of production of the American-modified [[Hawker Siddeley Harrier|Harrier aircraft]], and several other improvements to enhance the effectiveness of the Marine Corps}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 28
| image             = GEN Kelley, Paul X.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Paul X. Kelley]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1928
| died_year         = 2019
| term_start        = 1 July 1983
| term_end          = 30 June 1987
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 July 1983|30 June 1987}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Commandant when the Marine Barracks bombing occurred in Beirut during the 1982–84 multinational force peacekeeping mission under the Reagan Administration. }}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 29
| image             = Alfred Gray, official military photo color.JPEG
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Alfred M. Gray Jr.]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1928
| died_year         = 2024
| term_start        = 1 July 1987
| term_end          = 30 June 1991
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 July 1987|30 June 1991}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|The Alfred M. Gray Research Center at [[Marine Corps Base Quantico]] houses the Marine Corps Archives and Special Collections, the Quantico Base Library, and the research library for the [[Marine Corps University]].<br />As a reminder that the primary role of every Marine is a rifleman, he had his official photograph taken in the Camouflage Utility [[Uniforms of the United States Marine Corps|Uniform]], the only Commandant to have done so.  Last Korean War veteran to serve as Commandant.}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 30
| image             = GEN Carl E. Mundy, Jr.JPG
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Carl Epting Mundy Jr.|Carl E. Mundy Jr.]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1935
| died_year         = 2014
| term_start        = 1 July 1991
| term_end          = 30 June 1995
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 July 1991|30 June 1995}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|After retirement, he served as president and CEO of the [[United Service Organizations]] (USO), and was the chairman of the [[Marine Corps University]] Foundation.}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 31
| image             = Charles C. Krulak.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Charles C. Krulak]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1942
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 1 July 1995
| term_end          = 30 June 1999
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 July 1995|30 June 1999}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Son of Marine Corps Lieutenant General [[Victor H. Krulak]]. Came up with the concept of the 'Strategic Corporal' and the '[[Three Block War]]'. Introduced [[United States Marine Corps Recruit Training#Week 10-The Crucible|The Crucible]], a final test of Marine recruits.}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 32
| image             = General James L Jones 32nd Commandant.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[James L. Jones]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1943
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 1 July 1999
| term_end          = 12 January 2003
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1 July 1999|12 January 2003}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Oversaw the Marine Corps' development of [[MARPAT]] [[Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform|camouflage uniforms]] and the adoption of the [[Marine Corps Martial Arts Program]]; later became the first Marine officer to serve as Commander, [[United States European Command|U.S. European Command]] (USEUCOM) and [[NATO]]'s [[Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe|Supreme Allied Commander Europe]] (SACEUR), then as [[National Security Advisor (United States)|National Security Advisor]] for the [[Obama Administration]].}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 33
| image             = Michael W. Hagee.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Michael Hagee|Michael W. Hagee]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1944
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 13 January 2003
| term_end          = 13 November 2006
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|13 January 2003|13 November 2006}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Guided the Corps through the initial years of the [[Iraq War]] <br> Last Vietnam veteran to serve as Commandant}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 34
| image             = James T. Conway, official military photo portrait, 2006.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[James T. Conway]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1947
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 13 November 2006
| term_end          = 22 October 2010
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|13 November 2006|22 October 2010}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Commanded Marine forces in the Iraq War and oversaw expansion of the Corps to 202,000 personnel.<br /> First Commandant in nearly 40 years to have not served in the Vietnam War.}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 35
| image             = General James F. Amos.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[James F. Amos]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1946
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 22 October 2010
| term_end          = 17 October 2014
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|22 October 2010|17 October 2014}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Oversaw the repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the Marine Corps.<br /> First [[United States Naval Aviator|naval aviator]] to serve as Commandant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marines.mil/unit/barracks/Pages/TakingthereinsMarineCorpswelcomesnewcommandant.aspx |title=Taking the Reins: Marine Corps Welcomes New Commandant |last=Shea |first=Sgt Jimmy D. |date=22 October 2010 |work=[[Headquarters Marine Corps]] |publisher=United States Marine Corps |access-date=22 October 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026014216/http://www.marines.mil/unit/barracks/Pages/TakingthereinsMarineCorpswelcomesnewcommandant.aspx |archive-date=26 October 2010 }}</ref>}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 36
| image             = General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. (CMC).jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Joseph Dunford]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1955
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 17 October 2014
| term_end          = {{no wrap|24 September 2015}}
| timeinoffice      = {{no wrap|{{ayd|17 October 2014|24 September 2015}}}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|First Commandant and second Marine to be appointed to [[Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff]].}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 37
| image             = Neller 2015 2.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[Robert Neller]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1953
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = {{no wrap|24 September 2015}}
| term_end          = 11 July 2019
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|24 September 2015|11 July 2019}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Led the integration of women into combat roles. Made administrative regulations for Marines on social media.}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 38
| image             = Gen. David H. Berger.jpg
| military_rank     = General
| officeholder      = [[David H. Berger]]
| officeholder_sort = 
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 1959
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 11 July 2019
| term_end          = 10 July 2023
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|11 July 2019|10 July 2023}}
| alt_officeholder  = {{small|Issued guidance for Service-level planning to include refocusing on high-end combat, shifting away from tanks and artillery in favor of long-range missiles and drones.}}
}}
|-
| style=background:#e6e6aa; align="center" | -
| rowspan="2" | [[File:Gen Smith Official Photo V1.jpg|100px]]
| data-sort-value="Smith, Eric" style="text-align:center" rowspan="2" | General<br />'''[[Eric Smith (general)|Eric M. Smith]]'''<br />{{small|(born {{circa|1964}})}}
| style=background:#e6e6aa; align="center" | 10 July 2023
| style=background:#e6e6aa; align="center" | 22 September 2023
| style=background:#e6e6aa; align="center" | {{ayd|2023|07|10|2023|09|22}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center" | {{small|Served as acting commandant after Berger's retirement amid Senator [[Tommy Tuberville]]'s hold on military nominations, and sworn in following confirmation.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gould|first=Joe|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/21/senate-confirms-george-to-lead-army-bucking-tuberville-logjam-00117394|title=Senate confirms Army and Marine chiefs, bucking Tuberville logjam|date=2023-09-21|access-date=2023-09-22|website=[[Politico]]|archive-date=22 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922162227/https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/21/senate-confirms-george-to-lead-army-bucking-tuberville-logjam-00117394|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Loewenson|first=Irene|url=https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2023/09/22/top-marine-leader-sworn-in-1-day-after-senate-confirmation/|title=Top Marine leader sworn in 1 day after Senate confirmation|date=2023-09-23|access-date=2023-09-23|website=[[Marine Corps Times]]|archive-date=22 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922171712/https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2023/09/22/top-marine-leader-sworn-in-1-day-after-senate-confirmation/|url-status=live}}</ref><br />During his hospitalization after suffering a heart attack, Lieutenant General [[Karsten Heckl]] (30 October – 3 November 2023) and General [[Christopher J. Mahoney]] (3 November 2023 – 5 March 2024) served as acting commandants.}}
|-
| style="text-align:center | 39
| style="text-align:center | 22 September 2023
| style="text-align:center | ''Incumbent''
| style="text-align:center | {{ayd|2023|09|22}}
|}

===Timeline===
{{#tag:timeline|
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Define $now = {{CURRENTYEAR}}

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  at:1860
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  at:1900
  at:1910
  at:1920
  at:1930
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 bar:nicholas     from: 1775 till: 1783  color:cmc      text:[[Samuel Nicholas|Nicholas]]
 bar:burrows      from: 1798 till: 1804  color:cmc      text:[[William Ward Burrows I|Burrows]]
 bar:wharton      from: 1804 till: 1818  color:cmc      text:[[Franklin Wharton|Wharton]]
 bar:henderson    from: 1818 till: 1819  color:cmc
 bar:henderson    from: 1820 till: 1859  color:cmc      text:[[Archibald Henderson|Henderson]]
 bar:gale         from: 1819 till: 1820  color:cmc      text:[[Anthony Gale|Gale]]
 bar:harris       from: 1859 till: 1864  color:cmc      text:[[John Harris (USMC officer)|Harris]]
 bar:zeilin       from: 1864 till: 1876  color:cmc      text:[[Jacob Zeilin|Zeilin]]
 bar:mccawley     from: 1876 till: 1891  color:cmc      text:[[Charles Grymes McCawley|McCawley]]
 bar:heywood      from: 1891 till: 1903  color:cmc      text:[[Charles Heywood|Heywood]]
 bar:elliott      from: 1903 till: 1910  color:cmc      text:[[George F. Elliott|Elliott]]
 bar:biddle       from: 1911 till: 1914  color:cmc      text:[[William P. Biddle|Biddle]]
 bar:barnett      from: 1914 till: 1920  color:cmc      text:[[George Barnett|Barnett]]
 bar:lejeune      from: 1915 till: 1917  color:acmc
 bar:lejeune      from: 1920 till: 1929  color:cmc      text:[[John A. Lejeune|Lejeune]]
 bar:neville      from: 1920 till: 1923  color:acmc
 bar:neville      from: 1929 till: 1930  color:cmc      text:[[Wendell Cushing Neville|Neville]]
 bar:fuller       from: 1928 till: 1930  color:acmc
 bar:fuller       from: 1930 till: 1933  color:cmc      text:[[Ben Hebard Fuller|Fuller]]
 bar:russell      from: 1933 till: 1934  color:acmc
 bar:russell      from: 1934 till: 1936  color:cmc      text:[[John H. Russell Jr.|Russell]]
 bar:holcomb      from: 1936 till: 1944  color:cmc      text:[[Thomas Holcomb|Holcomb]]
 bar:vandegrift   from: 1940 till: 1941  color:acmc
 bar:vandegrift   from: 1944 till: 1948  color:cmc      text:[[Alexander Vandegrift|Vandegrift]]
 bar:cates        from: 1948 till: 1952  color:cmc      text:[[Clifton B. Cates|Cates]]
 bar:shepherd     from: 1946 till: 1948  color:acmc
 bar:shepherd     from: 1952 till: 1956  color:cmc      text:[[Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr.|Shepard]]
 bar:pate         from: 1954 till: 1956  color:acmc
 bar:pate         from: 1956 till: 1960  color:cmc      text:[[Randolph M. Pate|Pate]]
 bar:shoup        from: 1960 till: 1964  color:cmc      text:[[David M. Shoup|Shoup]]
 bar:greene       from: 1964 till: 1968  color:cmc      text:[[Wallace M. Greene|Greene]]
 bar:chapman      from: 1967 till: 1968  color:acmc
 bar:chapman      from: 1968 till: 1972  color:cmc      text:[[Leonard F. Chapman Jr.|Chapman]]
 bar:cushman      from: 1971 till: 1975  color:cmc      text:[[Robert E. Cushman Jr.|Cushman]]
 bar:wilson       from: 1975 till: 1979  color:cmc      text:[[Louis H. Wilson Jr.|Wilson]]
 bar:barrow       from: 1978 till: 1979  color:acmc
 bar:barrow       from: 1979 till: 1983  color:cmc      text:[[Robert H. Barrow|Barrow]]
 bar:kelley       from: 1981 till: 1983  color:acmc
 bar:kelley       from: 1983 till: 1987  color:cmc      text:[[Paul X. Kelley|Kelley]]
 bar:gray         from: 1987 till: 1991  color:cmc      text:[[Alfred M. Gray Jr.|Gray]]
 bar:mundy        from: 1991 till: 1995  color:cmc      text:[[Carl Epting Mundy Jr.|Mundy]]
 bar:krulak       from: 1995 till: 1999  color:cmc      text:[[Charles C. Krulak|Krulak]]
 bar:jones        from: 1999 till: 2003  color:cmc      text:[[James L. Jones|Jones]]
 bar:hagee        from: 2003 till: 2006  color:cmc      text:[[Michael Hagee|Hagee]]
 bar:conway       from: 2006 till: 2010  color:cmc      text:[[James T. Conway|Conway]]
 bar:amos         from: 2008 till: 2010  color:acmc
 bar:amos         from: 2010 till: 2014  color:cmc      text:[[James F. Amos|Amos]]
 bar:dunford      from: 2010 till: 2012  color:acmc
 bar:dunford      from: 2014 till: 2015  color:cmc      text:[[Joseph Dunford|Dunford]]
 bar:neller       from: 2015 till: 2019  color:cmc      text:[[Robert Neller|Neller]]
 bar:berger       from: 2019 till: 2023  color:cmc      text:[[David Berger|Berger]]  
 bar:smith        from: 2021 till: 2023  color:acmc    
 bar:smith        from: 2023 till: $now  color:cmc      text:[[Eric Smith (general)|Smith]]
}}

==See also==
* [[Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps]]
* [[Military Secretary to the Commandant of the Marine Corps]]
* [[Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps]]

==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
* {{Marine Corps}}
* {{cite book
|url=https://archive.org/details/commandantsofmar0000unse
|url-access=registration
|title=Commandants of the Marine Corps
|editor1= Millett, Allan Reed |editor2= Shulimson, Jack
|publisher=Naval Institute Press
|location=Annapolis, Md.
|year=2004
|isbn=978-0-87021-012-9}}
* {{cite book | last = Ulbrich | first = David J. | year = 2011 | title = Preparing for Victory: Thomas Holcomb and the Making of the Modern Marine Corps, 1936–1943 | publisher = Naval Institute Press | isbn = 978-1591149033 }}

==External links==
{{commons category|Commandants of the United States Marine Corps}}
* {{Official website|https://www.hqmc.marines.mil/cmc//}}

{{CMC}}
{{US Marine Corps navbox}}
{{Current JCS members}}
{{Current US Department of Defense Secretaries}}
{{US military navbox}}

{{featured list}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Commandant Of The Marine Corps}}
[[Category:Joint Chiefs of Staff]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps Commandants|*]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps leadership]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps lists]]