Three Marine generals were nominated Tuesday to pick up their third star, — Maj. Gens. Lewis Craparotta, Joseph Osterman, and Gary Thomas. The nominations were announced by Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced.
— Maj. Gens. Lewis Craparotta, Joseph Osterman, and Gary Thomas have been nominated for promotion to the rank of lieutenant general. They've also been tapped for new assignments. The moves must now be approved by the Senate. Each candidate must be confirmed by the Senate. The nominations were announced by Each candidate must be confirmed by the Senate.
Craparotta, the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, and is commanding general of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California, has been tapped to lead I Marine Expeditionary Force. It’s current commander, Lt. Gen. David Berger, I MEF's current commander, was nominated last week to take the helm of Marine Corps Forces Pacific and Fleet Marine Force Pacific. If confirmed by the Senate, Berger would replace Lt. Gen. John Toolan, who is retiring in September after a 40-year career.
Craparotta currently heads Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, and is commanding general of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California. Commissioned in May 1983, Craparotta the Connecticut native has commanded everything from infantry platoons to the 2nd Marine Division (Forward) in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He has also served Other assignments have included the Joint Staff and as director of operations for U.S. Northern Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, and with the Joint Staff.
Osterman, the head of Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, is slated to become deputy commander of U.S. Special Operations Command with his promotion. He The snake eater has led MARSOC, based at U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, since 2014.
Then-Brig. Gen. Joseph Osterman, shown here in Afghanistan as the commanding general of 1st Marine Division (Forward), has been nominated to receive a third star and to serve as deputy commander of U.S. Special Operations Command.
Photo Credit: Master Sgt. Christopher Matt/Marine Corps
Osterman The Maryland native earned his commission in 1982, and soon commanded everything from Marine Corps Security Forces to humanitarian relief operations in Somalia and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. When not on the front lines, as a noted strategist, Osterman — a noted strategist — has pulled tours at various schools, war colleges, and within Marine Corps Combat Development Command in Quantico, Virginia.
Thomas, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing's commanding general, was tapped to become deputy commandant for Programs and Resources, a position currently held by Lt. Gen. Glenn Walters, who nominated Tuesday for a fourth star and assignment as assistant commandant of the Marine Corps.
Maj. Gen. Gary Thomas speaks to Marines at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. Thomas has been tapped to serve as deputy commandant for Programs and Resources.
Photo Credit: Pfc. Nicholas Baird/Marine Corps
Thomas, who has led 2nd MAW at has served as commanding general, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, Cherry Point, North Carolina, for the past 10 months, The Texas native was commissioned in 1984. He commanded Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 VMFA-323 during Operation Iraqi Freedom and was commanding general of 2nd MAW Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) in Afghanistan in 2013. He also has served on the Joint Staff and commanded Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One.
