Senate confirms Gen. Eric Smith as Commandant of Marine Corps, 96-0

Also confirmed this week was Gen. CQ Brown as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen. Randy George as the Chief of Staff to the Army

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The U.S. Senate confirmed Gen. Eric M. Smith as Commandant of the Marine Corps in a 96-0 vote on Thursday.

In July, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger relinquished his post, leaving the military branch without a confirmed leader for the first time in 164 years.

Then assistant commandant of Marine Corps, Smith took over as acting Commandant. Just two months prior, President Biden nominated Smith to lead the service.

Over the past 24 hours, the Senate also confirmed Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen. Randy A. George as the Chief of Staff to the Army.

SENATE CONFIRMS AIR FORCE GEN. CHARLES BROWN AS CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF, 83-11

senate confirms gen eric smith as commandant of marine corps 96 0

General Eric Smith was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday as Commandant of the Marines. (Marines.mil)

Originally from Kansas City, Missouri and raised in Plano, Texas, Smith graduated from Texas A&M University and was commissioned into the Marines in 1987.

Since then, Smith has commanded at every level, according to his biography on Marines.mil, including Weapons Company; 2nd Battalion; 2nd Marine Regiment during Operation Assured Response in Monrovia, Liberia; 5th Regiment during Operation Iraqi Freedom; and 8th Marine Regiment during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Smith has also commanded the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Southern Command, 1st Marine Division, and more.

MARINE CORPS IS WITHOUT CONFIRMED LEADER FOR FIRST TIME IN 164 YEARS

senate confirms gen eric smith as commandant of marine corps 96 0

U.S. Marines from the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. (Manpreet Romana / AFP via Getty Images / File / Fox News)

More recently, Smith’s assignments as a General Officer included Senior Military Assistant to both the Deputy Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Defense, as well as Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration.

Over the past 24 hours, the Senate also confirmed General Charles Q. Brown to serve as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Randy George as the Chief of Staff to the Army.

"I want to congratulate General Randy A. George and General Eric M. Smith on their confirmation as our nation's next Chief of Staff of the Army and Commandant of the Marine Corps, respectively," Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said in a Department of Defense release. "They will each be incredible leaders of their Service and will work to strengthen and modernize our military for the challenges ahead."

Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.

Authored by Greg Wehner via FoxNews September 21st 2023