According to NPR, Lt. Gen. Michael Langley will become the first Black four-star general in the Marine Corps. As confirmed by the Senate Armed Services Committee on July 21, Lt. Gen. Langley has 35 years of active service and has been serving at posts across countries. He’s served in Afghanistan, Europe, Africa, and Asia, ranking in the Pentagon and US Marine Corps Forces.
The Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced the presidential nomination for the position: “Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael E. Langley for appointment to the grade of general, with an assignment as commander, U.S. Africa Command, Stuttgart, Germany. Langley is currently serving as commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command; commanding general, Fleet Marine Force Atlantic; and commander, Marine Corps Forces North, Norfolk, Virginia.”
Langley received his position of command over a sector of the US Marine Corps Forces “after his predecessor was removed amid allegations of using a racial slur for African Americans in front of troops,” as per Stars and Stripes.
Langley is well qualified for the position. The Louisiana native was born to a noncommissioned officer in the air force who only ended his extended career to care for his family. This inspired Langley to pursue his current career path. NPR said Langley “holds multiple advanced degrees, including masters in National Security Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.” Langley is exceptionally qualified as one of only six Black generals in the Marines.
White men dominate the entirety of the armed forces. Studies done by the Council on Foreign Relations reported that in the higher ranks of Air Force, Army and Marine Corps, and admirals in the Coast Guard and Navy, the majority of leaders are 80% white and non-Hispanic. And that’s a total of 1.3 million active-duty members as of 2018.
