Michael Langley
Birth nameMichael Elliott Langley
Born1961 or 1962 (age 61–62)
Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Marine Corps
Years of service1985–present
RankGeneral
Commands held
Battles/warsWar in Afghanistan
Awards
Alma mater

Michael Elliott Langley (born 1961/1962)[1] is a United States Marine Corps general who has served as the commander of the United States Africa Command since August 9, 2022.[2][3] He most recently served as commander of United States Marine Corps Forces Command, United States Marine Corps Forces Northern Command, and Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic from November 2021 to August 2022.[4] He also served as deputy commander of Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic and before that as commander of United States Marine Forces Europe and Africa.[5][6][7][8]

Langley is the first black four-star general in the United States Marine Corps, having been promoted to that rank on August 6, 2022.[9][10][11]

Early life and education

A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Langley graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington, where he majored in information systems analysis.[7] Langley's father was a master sergeant in the United States Air Force, and as a child, Langley spent much of this time on racially diverse Air Force bases. He first experienced discrimination when his father retired from the military in the early 1970s and the family moved to a civilian neighborhood in Texas.[6] His father, Willie C. Langley, retired when he was told he would be deployed overseas again, separating him from his children. He was the primary caregiver for his children after their mother's death.[12]

At his confirmation hearing in 2022, Langley expressed his gratitude to his father, stepmother and two sisters: "As many nominees have said in testimony before me, military families form the bedrock upon which our Joint Force readiness stands," he said. "Without their support, I would not be here today."[13]

Military career

Langley is promoted to general in a ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington on August 6, 2022.

Langley was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1985. He commanded at every level from platoon to regiment – including Battery K, 5th Battalion, 11th Marines in support of Operation Wildfire in Western United States; battalion and regimental commands in 12th Marines forward deployed in Okinawa, Japan; and both the 201st Regional Corps Advisory Command-Central and Regional Support Command – Southwest in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

As a General Officer, Langley's command assignments include Deputy Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) and Commanding General, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade; Commander, Marine Forces Europe and Africa; and Deputy Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic and Deputy Commander, Marine Forces Command and Marine Forces Northern Command.[14]

Langley holds a master's degree in national security strategic studies from the Naval War College and a master's degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College.[14]

Four-star general

In June 2022, Langley was nominated for promotion to general and assignment as commander of United States Africa Command. The nomination was confirmed by the Senate in August 2022, making him the first black four-star general in the 246-year history of the Marine Corps.[15][16][17][18][10]

Awards and decorations

Bronze oak leaf cluster
Gold star
Bronze star
Bronze star
1st row Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster Legion of Merit with two gold award stars Bronze Star Medal Defense Meritorious Service Medal
2nd row Meritorious Service Medal with award star Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two award stars Joint Service Achievement Medal Joint Meritorious Unit Award with two bronze oak leaf clusters
3rd row Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with one bronze service star National Defense Service Medal with service star Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two service stars
4th row Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one silver and three bronze service stars NATO Medal for ISAF
Badges Marine Corps Rifle Sharpshooter Badge Marine Corps Pistol Sharpshooter Badge
Badges Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge United States Africa Command Badge

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Michael E. Langley.

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Government.

  1. ↑ Cooper, Helene (August 6, 2022). "After 246 Years, Marine Corps Gives 4 Stars to a Black Officer". New York Times. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  2. ↑ "DVIDS Webcast - AFRICOM Change of Command". DVIDS. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  3. ↑ "U.S. Africa Command welcomes a new boss". AfrikPage. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Marine Forces in Hampton Roads welcome new commander next week". Wavy. Norfolk, Virginia. October 19, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Major General Michael E. Langley". U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  6. 1 2 Vandiver, John (February 26, 2021). "How an early promotion kept a young Black Marine on the path to become a general". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  7. 1 2 Vandiver, John. "Langley takes over Marine mission in Europe, Africa following Neary's relief". Stars and Stripes. Archived from the original on March 20, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  8. ↑ Chavez, Larisa (May 23, 2018). "2nd MEB Commanding General Promotion, Relinquishment". DVIDS. Camp Lejeune, North Carolina: II Marine Expeditionary Force.
  9. ↑ "Gen. Michael Langley becomes the Marine Corps' first black four-star general". DVIDS. Washington, D. C. August 6, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  10. 1 2 Jeong, Andrew (August 3, 2022). "Michael E. Langley confirmed as first Black four-star Marine general". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Lt. Gen. Michael Langley confirmed for promotion to General". DVIDS. August 2, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  12. ↑ Chason, Rachel; Lamothe, Dan (July 20, 2022). "After 246 years, Marines set for their first Black four-star general". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  13. ↑ Michael E. Langley, Bryan P. Fenton (July 21, 2022). Nomination- Fenton and Langley (video). Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D. C.: Senate Armed Services Committee. Event occurs at 09:30 AM. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  14. 1 2 "Lieutenant General Michael E. Langley". U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  15. ↑ "PN2255 — Lt. Gen. Michael E. Langley — Marine Corps". United States Congress. June 8, 2022.
  16. ↑ Schmitt, Eric; Cooper, Helene (May 20, 2022). "Pentagon Taps Next Commander of U.S. Forces in Africa". New York Times. Washington, D. C. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  17. ↑ Joyner, James (May 21, 2022). "Michael Langley to be 1st Black Marine 4-Star General". Outside the Beltway. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  18. ↑ Diaz, Jaclyn (July 20, 2022). "The Marines are set to have the first Black 4-star general in their 246-year history". NPR.
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