# List of United States Marine Corps lieutenant generals since 2010

The rank of lieutenant general (or three-star general) is the second-highest rank in the United States Marine Corps, and the first to have a specified number of appointments set by statute. It ranks above major general (two-star general) and below general (four-star general).
There have been 77 lieutenant generals in the U.S. Marine Corps since 1 January 2010, eight of whom were promoted to four-star general. All 77 achieved that rank while on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps. Lieutenant generals entered the Marine Corps via several paths: 39 were commissioned via Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) at a civilian university, 18 via the United States Naval Academy (USNA), 12 via Officer Candidates School (OCS), and eight via NROTC at a senior military college.

## List of generals

Entries in the following list of lieutenant generals are indexed by the numerical order in which each officer was promoted to that rank while on active duty, or by an asterisk (*) if the officer did not serve in that rank while on active duty. Each entry lists the general's name, date of rank, active-duty positions held while serving at three-star rank, number of years of active-duty service at three-star rank (Yrs), year commissioned and source of commission, number of years in commission when promoted to three-star rank (YC), and other biographical notes.
List of U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant generals since 2010 :
| # | Name | Date of rank | Position | Yrs | Commission | YC | Notes |
| 1 | Walter E. Gaskin Sr. | 22 Mar 2010 | Deputy Chairman, NATO Military Committee (DCMC), 2009–2013. Chairman, NATO Military Committee (CMC), 2011–2012. | 3 | 1974 (NROTC) | 36 | (1951– ) Secretary, North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, 2021–2024. |
| 2 | Robert E. Schmidle Jr. | 5 Aug 2010 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Cyber Command (DCDRUSCYBERCOM), 2010–2012. Deputy Commandant for Aviation, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2012–2014. Principal Deputy Director, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, Office of the Secretary of Defense, 2014–2016. | 6 | 1976 (NROTC) | 34 | (c. 1953– ) |
| 3 | John E. Wissler | 5 Aug 2010 | Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2010–2013. Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Japan/Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force/Commander, Joint Task Force 505 (COMMARFORJ/CDRJTF-505), 2013. Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Japan/Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force (COMMARFORJ), 2013–2015. Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Japan/Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force/Commander, Joint Task Force 505 (COMMARFORJ/CDRJTF-505), 2015. Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command/Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (COMMARFORCOM/CG FMFLANT), 2015–2017. | 7 | 1978 (USNA) | 32 | |
| 4 | Richard T. Tryon | 29 Oct 2010 | Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2010–2013. Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe/Commander, Marine Corps Bases Atlantic/Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (COMMARFORCOM/COMMARFOREUR/COMMCBLANT/CG FMFLANT), 2013–2014. | 4 | 1975 (USNA) | 35 | (c. 1954– ) Great-grandson of Navy rear admiral James R. Tryon. |
| 5 | Robert E. Milstead Jr. | 22 Dec 2010 | Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2010–2014. | 3 | 1975 (NROTC) | 36 | (1951– ) |
| 6 | Kenneth J. Glueck Jr. | 7 Jan 2011 | Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Japan/Commander, Marine Corps Bases Japan/Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force (COMMARFORJ/COMMCBJ), 2011. Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Japan/Commander, Marine Corps Bases Japan/Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force/Commander, Joint Task Force 505 (COMMARFORJ/COMMCBJ/CDRJTF-505), 2011–2013. Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Japan/Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force/Commander, Joint Task Force 505 (COMMARFORJ/CDRJTF-505), 2011–2013. Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration, Headquarters Marine Corps/Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command (CG MCCDC), 2013–2015. | 4 | 1974 (NROTC) | 37 | (c. 1951– ) |
| * | Robert B. Neller | 11 Jan 2011 | Director, Operations, Joint Staff, J3, 2011–2012. Commander, U.S. Marine Forces Central Command (COMUSMARCENT), 2012–2014. Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe/Commander, Marine Corps Bases Atlantic/Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (COMMARFORCOM/COMMARFOREUR/COMMCBLANT/CG FMFLANT), 2014–2015. | 4 | 1975 (OCS) | 35 | (1953– ) Promoted to general, 24 Sep 2015. |
| 7 | Richard P. Mills | Jul 2011 | Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration, Headquarters Marine Corps/Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command (CG MCCDC), 2011–2013. Commander, Marine Forces Reserve/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Northern Command (COMMARFORRES/COMMARFORNORTH), 2013–2015. | 4 | 1975 (OCS) | 36 | (1950– ) |
| 8 | Steven A. Hummer | 10 Aug 2011 | Commander, Marine Forces Reserve/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Northern Command (COMMARFORRES/COMMARFORNORTH), 2011–2013. Deputy to the Commander for Military Operations, U.S. Africa Command, 2013–2015. | 4 | 1977 (NROTC) | 34 | (1952– ) |
| 9 | Thomas L. Conant | 1 Mar 2012 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (DCDRUSPACOM), 2012–2014. | 2 | 1975 (NROTC) | 37 | (c. 1952– ) |
| 10 | Jon M. Davis | 24 May 2012 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Cyber Command (DCDRUSCYBERCOM), 2012–2014. Commander, U.S. Cyber Command (CDRUSCYBERCOM), 2014. Deputy Commandant for Aviation, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2014–2017. | 5 | 1980 (OCS) | 32 | (c. 1958– ) |
| 11 | John A. Toolan Jr. | 12 Sep 2012 | Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force, 2012–2014. Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific/Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (COMMARFORPAC/CG FMFPAC), 2014–2016. | 4 | 1976 (NROTC) | 36 | (1954– ) |
| 12 | William M. Faulkner | 2 Oct 2012 | Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2012–2015. | 3 | 1982 (NROTC) | 30 | (c. 1960– ) |
| 13 | Robert R. Ruark | 23 May 2013 | Director, Logistics, Joint Staff, J4, 2013–2015. Military Deputy for Readiness to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (MILDEP USD(P&R)), 2015–2017. | 4 | 1981 (NROTC) | 32 | |
| 14 | Ronald L. Bailey | 14 Jun 2013 | Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2013–2017. | 4 | 1977 (NROTC) | 36 | (c. 1953– ) |
| * | Glenn M. Walters | 17 Jun 2013 | Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2013–2016. | 3 | 1979 (Citadel) | 34 | (1957– ) Promoted to general, 2 Aug 2016. President, The Citadel, 2018–present. |
| * | Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. | 3 Jun 2014 | Commander, U.S. Marine Forces Central Command (COMUSMARCENT), 2014–2015. Director, Strategic Plans and Policy, Joint Staff, J5/Senior Member, U.S. Delegation to the U.N. Military Staff Committee (Sr. Member MSC), 2015–2017. Director, Joint Staff (DJS), 2017–2019. | 5 | 1979 (Citadel) | 35 | (1957– ) Promoted to general, 28 Mar 2019. |
| * | David H. Berger | 11 Jul 2014 | Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force, 2014–2016. Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific/Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (COMMARFORPAC/CG FMFPAC), 2016–2018. Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration, Headquarters Marine Corps/Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command (CG MCCDC), 2018–2019. | 5 | 1981 (NROTC) | 33 | (1959– ) Promoted to general, 11 Jul 2019. |
| 15 | James B. Laster | 11 Dec 2014 | Director, Marine Corps Staff (DMCS), 2014–2017. | 3 | 1978 (OCS) | 36 | |
| 16 | Vincent R. Stewart | 23 Jan 2015 | Director, Defense Intelligence Agency/Commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (DIRDIA/CDRJFCC ISR), 2015–2016. Director, Defense Intelligence Agency (DIRDIA), 2016–2017. Deputy Commander, U.S. Cyber Command (DCDRUSCYBERCOM), 2017–2019. | 4 | 1981 (NROTC) | 34 | (1958–2023) First African-American and Jamaican-American to become director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. |
| 17 | Mark A. Brilakis | 30 Apr 2015 | Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2015–2017. Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command/Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (COMMARFORCOM/CG FMFLANT), 2017–2019. | 4 | 1981 (OCS) | 34 | (1958– ) |
| 18 | Robert S. Walsh | 20 Aug 2015 | Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration, Headquarters Marine Corps/Commander, Marine Corps Forces Strategic Command/Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command (COMMARFORSTRAT/CG MCCDC), 2015–2018. | 3 | 1979 (USNA) | 36 | (c. 1957– ) |
| 19 | Michael G. Dana | 4 Sep 2015 | Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2015–2018. Director, Marine Corps Staff (DMCS), 2018–2019. | 4 | 1982 (NROTC) | 33 | |
| 20 | Lawrence D. Nicholson | 11 Sep 2015 | Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Japan/Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force (COMMARFORJ), 2015–2018. | 3 | 1979 (Citadel) | 36 | (1956– ) |
| 21 | Rex C. McMillian | 12 Sep 2015 | Commander, Marine Forces Reserve/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Northern Command (COMMARFORRES/COMMARFORNORTH), 2015–2018. | 3 | 1980 (OCS) | 35 | (c. 1956– ) |
| 22 | William D. Beydler | 27 Oct 2015 | Commander, U.S. Marine Forces Central Command (COMUSMARCENT), 2015–2018. | 3 | 1981 (USNA) | 34 | (c. 1957– ) |
| * | Gary L. Thomas | 29 Jun 2016 | Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2016–2018. | 2 | 1984 (NROTC) | 32 | (1962– ) Promoted to general, 4 Oct 2018. |
| 23 | Lewis A. Craparotta | 27 Jul 2016 | Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force, 2016–2018. Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific/Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (COMMARFORPAC/CG FMFPAC), 2018–2020. Commanding General, U.S. Marine Corps Training and Education Command (CG TECOM), 2020–2021. | 5 | 1983 (NROTC) | 33 | (1960– ) |
| 24 | Joseph L. Osterman | Oct 2016 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command (DCDRUSSOCOM), 2016–2018. Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force, 2018–2020. | 4 | 1982 (NROTC) | 34 | (1960– ) |
| 25 | Steven R. Rudder | 10 Jul 2017 | Deputy Commandant for Aviation, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2017–2020. Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific/Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (COMMARFORPAC/CG FMFPAC), 2020–2022. | 5 | 1984 (NROTC) | 33 | (c. 1962– ) |
| 26 | Robert F. Hedelund | 14 Jul 2017 | Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force, 2017–2019. Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command/Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (COMMARFORCOM/CG FMFLANT), 2019–2020. Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Northern Command/Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (COMMARFORCOM/COMMARFORNORTH/CG FMFLANT), 2020–2021. | 4 | 1983 (NROTC) | 34 | (1961– ) |
| 27 | Brian D. Beaudreault | 21 Jul 2017 | Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2017–2019. Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force, 2019–2021. | 4 | 1983 (NROTC) | 34 | (1960– ) |
| 28 | Daniel J. O'Donohue | 31 Jul 2017 | Deputy Commandant for Information, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2017–2018. Director, Joint Force Development, Joint Staff, J7, 2018–2019. | 2 | 1984 (NROTC) | 33 | (c. 1962– ) |
| 29 | H. Stacy Clardy III | 3 Aug 2017 | Military Deputy for Readiness to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (MILDEP USD(P&R)), 2017–2019. Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Japan/Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force (COMMARFORJ), 2019–2021. | 4 | 1983 (NROTC) | 34 | (1960– ) |
| 30 | Michael A. Rocco | 8 Aug 2017 | Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2017–2020. | 3 | 1983 (NROTC) | 34 | (c. 1960– ) |
| 31 | John J. Broadmeadow | 1 Sep 2017 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (DCDRUSTRANSCOM), 2017–2019. Director, Marine Corps Staff (DMCS), 2019–2020. | 3 | 1983 (Norwich) | 34 | (1961– ) President, Norwich University, 2024–present. |
| 32 | Charles G. Chiarotti | 29 Jun 2018 | Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2018–2021. | 3 | 1985 (NROTC) | 33 | |
| 33 | Loretta E. Reynolds | 2 Jul 2018 | Deputy Commandant for Information, Headquarters Marine Corps/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Strategic Command (COMMARFORSTRAT), 2018–2021. | 3 | 1986 (USNA) | 32 | (c. 1964– ) |
| 34 | Carl E. Mundy III | 11 Jul 2018 | Commander, U.S. Marine Forces Central Command (COMUSMARCENT), 2018–2021. | 3 | 1983 (NROTC) | 35 | (1960– ) Son of Marine Corps four-star general Carl E. Mundy Jr. |
| * | Eric M. Smith | 2 Aug 2018 | Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Japan/Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force (COMMARFORJ), 2018–2019. Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration, Headquarters Marine Corps/Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command (CG MCCDC), 2019–2021. | 3 | 1987 (Texas A&M) | 31 | (c. 1961– ) Promoted to general, 8 Oct 2021. |
| 35 | John K. Love | Sep 2018 | U.S. Military Representative, NATO Military Committee (USMILREP), 2018–2021. | 3 | 1984 (NROTC) | 34 | |
| 36 | John M. Jansen | 2 Oct 2018 | Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2018–2021. | 3 | 1986 (OCS) | 32 | (c. 1964– ) |
| 37 | George W. Smith Jr. | 27 Sep 2018 | Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (SMA SecDef), 2018–2019. Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2019–2021. Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force, 2021–2023. | 5 | 1985 (NROTC) | 33 | (c. 1963– ) Son of Marine Corps major general George W. Smith. |
| 38 | David G. Bellon | 4 Sep 2019 | Commander, Marine Forces Reserve/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Northern Command (COMMARFORRES/COMMARFORNORTH), 2019–2020. Commander, Marine Forces Reserve (COMMARFORRES), 2020-2021. Commander, Marine Forces Reserve/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South (COMMARFORRES/COMMARFORSOUTH), 2021–2024. | 5 | 1989 (NROTC) | 30 | |
| 39 | Dennis A. Crall | 21 May 2020 | Director, Command, Control, Communications and Computers/Cyber and Chief Information Officer, Joint Staff, J6, 2020–2022. | 2 | 1987 (NROTC) | 33 | (c. 1965– ) |
| 40 | Mark R. Wise | 21 May 2020 | Deputy Commandant for Aviation, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2020–2022. | 2 | 1986 (NROTC) | 34 | (c. 1964– ) |
| 41 | Karsten S. Heckl | 31 Jul 2020 | Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force, 2020–2021. Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration, Headquarters Marine Corps/Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command (CG MCCDC), 2021–2024. | 4 | 1988 (NROTC) | 32 | (1964– ) |
| 42 | David A. Ottignon | 4 Aug 2020 | Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2020–2022. Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force, 2022–2024. | 4 | 1987 (NROTC) | 33 | |
| 43 | Michael S. Groen | 1 Oct 2020 | Director, Joint Artificial Intelligence Center (DIRJAIC), 2020–2022. | 2 | 1986 (NROTC) | 34 | (1964– ) |
| 44 | Matthew G. Glavy | 7 Jul 2021 | Deputy Commandant for Information, Headquarters Marine Corps/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Strategic Command (COMMARFORSTRAT), 2021–2023. Deputy Commandant for Information, Headquarters Marine Corps/Director, Marine Corps Intelligence/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Strategic Command (DMCI/COMMARFORSTRAT), 2023–2024. | 3 | 1986 (USNA) | 35 | (c. 1964– ) |
| 45 | William M. Jurney | 8 Jul 2021 | Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force, 2021–2022. Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific/Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (COMMARFORPAC/CG FMFPAC), 2022–2024. | 3 | 1988 (OCS) | 33 | (c. 1966– ) |
| 46 | Edward D. Banta | 9 Jul 2021 | Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2021–2024. | 3 | 1986 (OCS) | 35 | |
| 47 | David J. Furness | Aug 2021 | Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2021–2023. | 2 | 1987 (VMI) | 34 | |
| 48 | Kevin M. Iiams | 2 Aug 2021 | Commanding General, U.S. Marine Corps Training and Education Command (CG TECOM), 2021–2024. | 3 | 1986 (USNA) | 35 | (c. 1964– ) |
| * | Christopher J. Mahoney | 9 Aug 2021 | Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2021–2023. | 2 | 1987 (NROTC) | 34 | (c. 1965– ) Promoted to general, 2 Nov 2023. |
| 49 | Stephen D. Sklenka | 16 Aug 2021 | Deputy Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (DCDRUSINDOPACOM), 2021–2024. Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2024–present. | 4 | 1988 (USNA) | 33 | (1966– ) |
| 50 | James W. Bierman Jr. | 9 Nov 2021 | Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Japan/Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force (COMMARFORJ), 2021–2024. Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2024–present. | 4 | 1987 (VMI) | 34 | (c. 1965– ) |
| * | Michael E. Langley | 10 Nov 2021 | Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Northern Command/Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (COMMARFORCOM/COMMARFORNORTH/CG FMFLANT), 2021–2022. | 1 | 1985 (OCS) | 36 | (c. 1963– ) Promoted to general, 6 Aug 2022. |
| 51 | Gregg P. Olson | 17 Feb 2022 | Director, Marine Corps Staff (DMCS), 2020–2024. | 2 | 1985 (USNA) | 37 | (1963– ) |
| 52 | Dimitri Henry | 1 Jun 2022 | Director, Intelligence, Joint Staff, J2, 2022–present. | 3 | 1988 (Texas A&M) | 34 | (c. 1963– ) Served seven years in the enlisted ranks before receiving his commission in 1988. |
| 53 | Michael S. Cederholm | 27 Jul 2022 | Deputy Commandant for Aviation, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2022–2024. Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force, 2024–present. | 3 | 1989 (NROTC) | 33 | (c. 1966– ) |
| 54 | Brian W. Cavanaugh | 30 Aug 2022 | Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Northern Command/Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (COMMARFORCOM/COMMARFORNORTH/CG FMFLANT), 2022–2024. | 2 | 1990 (USNA) | 32 | (1968– ) |
| 55 | James F. Glynn | 5 Oct 2022 | Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2022–2024. Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific/Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (COMMARFORPAC/CG FMFPAC), 2024–present. | 3 | 1989 (USNA) | 33 | |
| 56 | Francis L. Donovan | 15 Dec 2022 | Vice Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command (VCDRUSSOCOM), 2022–present. | 3 | 1988 (NROTC) | 34 | |
| 57 | James H. Adams III | 5 Dec 2023 | Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2023–present. | 2 | 1991 (USNA) | 32 | (c. 1969– ) |
| 58 | Gregory L. Masiello | 20 Dec 2023 | Director, Defense Contract Management Agency (DIRDCMA), 2023–present. | 2 | 1987 (USNA) | 36 | |
| 59 | Roger B. Turner Jr. | 26 Jan 2024 | Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Japan/Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force (COMMARFORJ), 2024–present. | 1 | 1989 (NROTC) | 35 | |
| 60 | Bradford J. Gering | 16 Feb 2024 | Deputy Commandant for Aviation, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2024–present. | 1 | 1989 (OCS) | 35 | |
| 61 | Leonard F. Anderson IV | 21 Mar 2024 | Commander, Marine Forces Reserve/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South (COMMARFORRES/COMMARFORSOUTH), 2024–present. | 1 | 1993 (NROTC) | 31 | (c. 1971– ) |
| 62 | Melvin G. Carter | 1 Aug 2024 | Deputy Commandant for Information, Headquarters Marine Corps/Director, Marine Corps Intelligence/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Strategic Command (DMCI/COMMARFORSTRAT), 2024–present. | 1 | 1992 (NROTC) | 32 | (c. 1965– ) |
| 63 | Calvert L. Worth Jr. | 2 Aug 2024 | Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force, 2024–present. | 1 | 1991 (OCS) | 33 | |
| 64 | Roberta L. Shea | 6 Aug 2024 | Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command/Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Northern Command/Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic (COMMARFORCOM/COMMARFORNORTH/CG FMFLANT), 2024–present. | 1 | 1991 (USNA) | 33 | (c. 1967– ) |
| 65 | Michael J. Borgschulte | 7 Aug 2024 | Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters Marine Corps, 2024–present. | 1 | 1991 (USNA) | 33 | (c. 1969– ) |
| 66 | Eric E. Austin | 9 Aug 2024 | Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration, Headquarters Marine Corps/Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command (CG MCCDC), 2024–present. | 1 | 1991 (USNA) | 33 | (c. 1969– ) |
| 67 | Benjamin T. Watson | 9 Aug 2024 | Commanding General, U.S. Marine Corps Training and Education Command (CG TECOM), 2024–present. | 1 | 1991 (NROTC) | 33 | (c. 1967– ) |
| 68 | Paul J. Rock Jr. | 3 Sep 2024 | Director, Marine Corps Staff (DMCS), 2024–present. | 1 | 1988 (USNA) | 36 | |
| 69 | Robert C. Fulford | 26 Nov 2024 | Deputy Commander, U.S. European Command (DCDRUSEUCOM), 2024–present. | 1 | 1992 (USNA) | 32 | |

## Background
### Modern use of the rank

Three-star billets in the United States Marine Corps include commanders of high-level Marine Corps commands, such as the marine expeditionary forces and Marine service component commands. Senior staff officers under the Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) directly reporting to the commandant and/or the assistant commandant may also hold the rank of lieutenant general.
About 30 to 50 joint service three-star billets exist at any given time that can be occupied by a Marine Corps lieutenant general, among the most prestigious being the director of the Joint Staff (DJS), principal staff advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and historically considered a stepping stone to four-star rank. All deputy commanders of the unified combatant commands are of three-star rank, as are directors of Defense Agencies not headed by a civilian such as the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIRDIA). Internationally-based three-star positions include the United States military representative to the NATO Military Committee (USMILREP) and the security coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian National Authority. All nominees for three-star rank must be confirmed via majority by the Senate before the appointee can take office and thus assume the rank.

#### Statutory limits, elevations and reductions

The U.S. Code states that no more than 17 officers in the U.S. Marine Corps may hold the rank of lieutenant general on the active duty list, aside from those on joint duty assignments. Three-star positions can be elevated to four-star status or reduced to two-star status where deemed necessary, either to highlight their increasing importance to the defense apparatus (or lack thereof) or to achieve parity with equivalent commands in other services or regions.
Few three-star positions are set by statute, leading to their increased volatility as they do not require congressional approval to be downgraded. It is common practice in the Marine Corps to dual-hat operational commands under a single commander to remain under the statutory limit for three-star positions, and shifting them around if necessary to facilitate efficient command and control of Marine units.
* In 2012, the commanding general of I Marine Expeditionary Force ceased to be dual-hatted as commander of U.S. Marine Forces Central Command (USMARCENT) to ensure that a single service component commander reported to the commander of CENTCOM, as CG, I MEF already reported to the Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Lieutenant General Thomas D. Waldhauser thereafter relinquished command of USMARCENT to Lieutenant General Robert B. Neller and I MEF to Lieutenant General John A. Toolan in September 2012.
* In 2020, U.S. Marine Corps Training and Education Command (TECOM) was raised from a two-star to three-star command reporting directly to the commandant of the Marine Corps after separating from Marine Corps Combat Development Command of which it was previously subordinate to. Lieutenant General Lewis A. Craparotta assumed command from Major General William F. Mullen III in August 2020.
* The commander of Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES) was dual-hatted as the commander of Marine Forces North (MARFORNORTH) since the 2000s. With the retirement of Lieutenant General Rex C. McMillian in 2018 and subsequent transfer of MARFORNORTH to U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command (MARFORCOM), MARFORRES became a two-star command. In September 2019, Lieutenant General David Bellon assumed command of MARFORRES from Colonel Michael E. McWilliams, restoring the command's three-star status and with a command realignment in early 2021 assumed command of U.S. Marine Corps Forces South (MARFORSOUTH).

#### Senate confirmations

Military nominations are considered by the Senate Armed Services Committee. While it is rare for three-star or four-star nominations to face even token opposition in the Senate, nominations that do face opposition due to controversy surrounding the nominee in question are typically withdrawn. Nominations that are not withdrawn are allowed to expire without action at the end of the legislative session.
* For example, the Senate declined to schedule a vote for Major General Charles M. Gurganus to be promoted to lieutenant general in 2013 and assigned as director of the Marine Corps staff, due to concerns of negligence leading to the September 2012 Camp Bastion raid.
* In 2014, Major General Michael R. Regner, selected for assignment as deputy commandant for manpower and reserve affairs, had his nomination for promotion to lieutenant general returned to the president partially due to concerns of misuse of authority, including having subordinates perform menial tasks at his behest. Regner subsequently retired in February 2016.
Additionally, events that take place after Senate confirmation may still delay or even prevent the nominee from assuming office.
* For example, Major General John G. Rossi, who had been confirmed for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as the commanding general of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command in April 2016 committed suicide two days before his scheduled promotion and assumption of command. As a result, the then incumbent commander of USASMDC, Lieutenant General David L. Mann, remained in command beyond statutory term limits until another nominee, Major General James H. Dickinson was confirmed by the Senate.

## Legislative history

The following list of Congressional legislation includes all acts of Congress pertaining to appointments to the grade of lieutenant general in the United States Marine Corps since 2010.
Each entry lists an act of Congress, its citation in the United States Statutes at Large or Public Law number, and a summary of the act's relevance, with officers affected by the act bracketed where applicable. Positions listed without reference to rank are assumed to be eligible for officers of three-star grade or higher.
List of legislation on appointments of lieutenant generals since 2010 :
| Legislation | Citation | Summary |
| Act of January 7, 2011 [Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011] | 124 Stat. 4209 124 Stat. 4210 | Authorized officers frocked to grade of lieutenant general or general to wear the insignia of that grade for up to 14 days before assuming position for which that grade is authorized. Repealed 30-day waiting period following congressional notification before officers below grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral may wear insignia of the next higher grade. |
| Act of December 23, 2016 [National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017] | 130 Stat. 2102 130 Stat. 2103 130 Stat. 2104 130 Stat. 2107 | Increased number of officers in the Marine Corps that may be appointed in grade of lieutenant general from 15 to 17. Increased number of deputy commandants attached to Headquarters Marine Corps from 6 to 7 (Daniel J. O'Donohue). Repealed authorization for the Chief of Staff to the President, if a general or flag officer of the United States Armed Forces, to be designated a position of importance and responsibility with grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral. Removed statutory requirement for the director of the Department of Defense Test Resource Management Center, if a commissioned officer, to hold grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral. Repealed statutory requirement for the director of the Missile Defense Agency, if a commissioned officer, to hold grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral. Repealed statutory requirement for senior members of the United Nations Military Staff Committee to hold grade of lieutenant general or vice admiral. Repealed statutory requirement for the principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Navy (research, development and acquisition) to hold grade of lieutenant general in the Marine Corps or vice admiral in the Navy. |
| Act of December 12, 2019 [National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020] | 133 Stat. 1346 | Required advice and consent of the Senate on any proposal by the secretary of defense to increase the retired grade of any military officer through the reopening of the determination or certification of said officer's retired grade. |