Marine combat veteran nominated to be next commandant

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has nominated a Marine officer with extensive combat and command experience in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Pacific to head the U.S. Marine Corps.

If confirmed by the Senate, Lt. Gen. David Berger would take over later this year when the current commandant, Gen. Robert Neller, retires after 44 years of service.

Berger is the commander of Marine Corps Combat Development Command and deputy commander for combat development and integration.

He’s a career infantry officer and was commissioned in 1981 after graduating from Tulane University. He served as company commander in the first Gulf War, and later commanded Marines in Fallujah, Iraq. He then led the 1st Marine Division in Afghanistan in 2012. He headed Marine Corps Forces in the Pacific after his promotion to three-star in 2014.