Cornell A . Wilson , Jr . Cornell A . Wilson , Jr . is a United States Marine Corps major general , currently serving as Director , Reserve Affairs Division , Manpower & Reserve Affairs , Headquarters , U . S . Marine Corps , in Quantico , Virginia . Early life and education . Wilson attended the University of South Carolina on an NROTC Scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 1972 . He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and assigned to The Basic School at Quantico , Virginia after graduation . Career . Upon completion of The Basic School and Armor Officer Basic in 1973 , Wilson reported to 1st Marine Division , where he served as a Tank Platoon Commander , Company Executive Officer , Battalion Assistant Operations Officer and Tank Company Commander , 1st Tank Battalion . In 1976 , he was assigned to the USS " Inchon " as the Combat Cargo Officer at Norfolk , Virginia and transferred to Quantico , Virginia in 1978 where he served as an Advanced Tactics Instructor at The Basic School . He was selected to attend Amphibious Warfare School in 1979 and following its completion in 1980 , reported to 2nd Marine Division . Assigned to the 2nd Tank Battalion , he commanded H & S Company and served on the Battalion S - 4 staff as Maintenance Management Officer before leaving the active component in 1982 . As a Reserve officer , Wilson served on the Maintenance Battalion staff in Charlotte , North Carolina before taking command of the Communications Company in Greensboro , North Carolina in 1985 . In 1987 , he transferred to the H & S Battalion staff in Marietta , Georgia and served as the Battalion ' s Operations Officer and Executive Officer before assuming command of the Battalion in 1990 . In 1993 , he became the Executive Officer for the 25th Marine Regiment in Worcester , Massachusetts . Upon completing his tour with the 25th Marine Regiment , Wilson served as the Depot Inspector for MCRD Parris Island , South Carolina in 1995 and served as the II MACE G - 4 before taking command of 4th Supply Battalion in Newport News , Virginia in 1997 . During this tour , he was selected for Brigadier General in 1999 . Wilson ' s first assignment as a General Officer was as the Deputy Commander for MARCENT at U . S . Central Command , Tampa , Florida . Following this tour , he was assigned as the Commanding General , 4th Marine Logistics Group in New Orleans , Louisiana . In August 2002 , he assumed command of the Augmentation Command Element of the Second Marine Expeditionary Force . He was selected for Major General in 2002 . In support of Operation Enduring Freedom , he was activated as the Deputy J - 3 for Central Command in Tampa , Florida , from September to December 2002 . From February through May 2003 , Wilson commanded the Combined Joint Task Force Consequence Management ( C / JTF - CM ) , headquartered in Camp Doha , Kuwait , and supported Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom . On July 9 , 2004 , Wilson assumed command of 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade , Camp LeJeune , North Carolina where he served as the MEB commander , Commanding General for II MACE and the Deputy Commander for II MEF . He assumed duties as Director , Reserve Affairs Division , Manpower & Reserve Affairs , Headquarters Marine Corps in July 2005 . In July 2007 , he was assigned as Commanding General for United States Marine Corps Forces , Europe in Stuttgart , Germany . He assumed his currents duties as Deputy Commander , U . S . Marine Corps Forces Command in October 2008 . Wilson ' s professional military education includes the Marshall Center Senior Executive Seminar , NATO Defense College General and Flag Officer Course , Senior Information Warfare Application Course , Logtech Executive Course , Revolution in Business Practices , National Defense University ' s Capstone Course , Naval War College ' s Strategy and Policy Course , and Amphibious Warfare School . Wilson completed a sales and marketing career with Siemens ICN in January 2002 . Awards and decorations . Wilson ' s personal decorations include :