On Thursday, the Department of Defense announced the nomination of Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Gary L. Thomas to a fourth star and the role of assistant commandant of the Marine Corps.
Upon confirmation, he will replace Gen. Glenn M. Walters, who has been serving in the position since August 2016, and will become the 34th assistant commandant of the Marine Corps.
A native of Texas, Thomas has served as the commanding general of the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing based out of Cherry Point, North Carolina.
He has also served with F/A-18 squadrons and deployed to Iraq as commander of VMFA-323 during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In Afghanistan, Thomas was the commanding general of the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing from February to December 2013.
Thomas is currently the deputy commandant for programs and resources.
Walters is retiring and will take over as the Citadel’s 20th president. He is an alumnus of the military college located in South Carolina.
Shawn Snow is the senior reporter for Marine Corps Times and a Marine Corps veteran.
