Dunford to replace Amos
The Pentagon announced today that General Joseph F. Dunford will replace James Amos as the Commandant of the US Marine Corps according to the Washington Post;
Dunford was widely seen as a front-runner for the position, and will replace Gen. James F. Amos, who has led the Marine Corps since October 2010. Dunford previously served as the Corps’ No. 2 officer as assistant commandant, from October 2010 until February 2012, when he became the top U.S. general in Afghanistan.
“Joe is one of the most knowledgeable and talented leaders and thinkers in the military today. He has commanded and excelled at every level,” Amos said in a statement. “Our country and our Marine Corps will benefit greatly from his continued service.”
According to his official bio;
General Dunford’s assignments in the operating forces include Platoon and Company Commander, Co K, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines; Company Commander, Co A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines; and Company Commander, Co L, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines. He served as the Operations, Plans, and Training Officer in 2d ANGLICO and the Regimental Executive Officer, 6th Marines. He commanded the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines and the 5th Marine Regiment. He served as the Chief of Staff, 1st Marine Division.
So, unlike Amos, General Dunford can gun, bro.
Category: Marine Corps
This is EXCELLENT news. November can’t get here fast enough.
Oh lordy, you got that shit right!!!
Hell yes!! Should have happened years ago…
Fingers crossed but hope levels at minimum.
There’s still the likelihood that he’s been “vetted” by the current regime and found politically reliable.
This weary old grunt is relieved for this news.
“So, unlike Amos, General Dunford can gun, bro”
Unless it’s a pistol.
tee hee.
Heh!
You should mention that he’s a Ranger grad, and Amphib Warfare school grad.
No lightweight here. I’m not thinking this is a guy that uses shake-weights.
I think the real question is whether he can stab Marines in the back as well as Amos. It’s going to be hard replacing the reigning Blue Falcon grandmaster.
Not a surprise. It was probably between Dunford & John Kelly of Southern Command…both had worked for then MajGen Mattis in Iraq. In 2008 Bob Gates & ADM Mullen thought so highly of then Brig Gen Dunford that they lobbied Obama to have him skip Maj Gen, and nominated for promotion to 3 stars instead.
Good luck to the General. The bad news is Emperor Barry Obumbles is still the Prez & a maroon as SECDEF…we’ll see how this works out.
You’re probably right, Devtun, except General Kelly is getting up there in age. He’s about 64 and will likely punch out soon.
If he’s any kind of warfighter, he’ll last exactly long enough to cross swords with the Dear Leader once. And then he will “retire.”
In other news, the CoS Army plans to retire and will be replaced by newly promoted Gen. Bowe Burgdahl!
Finally, another Marine combat leader as Commandant.
General Dunford has some pretty small shoes to fill. He shouldn’t have trouble standing tall in comparison.
And yet he is getting the tap…..so not expecting any paradigm shift.
I figure that if you get the nomination, you don’t have what everyone else thinks you have.
Andy – not meant as a comment on Dunford because I know nothing of him (although hopefully he’s better than Amos) – but your comment reminds me of what Churchill told Truman about Clement Atlee: “There’s a lot less there than meets the eye!”
Good luck, Marines. The Coast Guard just jettisoned its first female Commandant — Admiral Bob Papp. I can appreciate the absolute frustration of having a doodledorf at the top of the pyramid.
Hopefully, better days lie ahead.
Semper paratus.
As a retired Air Winger, I’m happy to see an infantry officer as Commandant again. I’ve never been particularly fond of pilots as leaders; they tend to be extremely self-centered (I’m looking at you, Gen Amos).
Of the former pilots I work with (and who have served with Amos), I’ve heard the same sentiments – even from the air-wingers. 🙂
English, Dave , English. I did not press 2. I got the S.F. and something about war. The rest was greek.
LOL, something like ‘Hail and farewell veteran war leader’
Good… We need an infantry officer as Commandant again after the stupid idea to appoint an air-winger. They are good with planes and whatnot, but that’s not all the USMC is about. Semper
I think very highly of General Dunford. He’s incredibly smart and a great guy (as well as being an extremely competent Marine). That said, General Paxton is the guy I wish had gotten the nod – they don’t get any better.
I had the pleasure of meeting him at FOB Apache when he came down to review the troops. I found him to be intelligent, well spoken, and he seemed genuinely interested in my mission as an artillery platoon sergeant. We chatted about home and the mission for about ten minutes and then he was on his way.