Robert Neller

{{short description|US Marine Corps general and 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps}} {{Use American English|date=March 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2019}} {{Infobox military person | name = Robert B. Neller | image = Neller 2015 2.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = Official portrait, 2015 | birth_name = Robert Blake Neller | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1953|2|9}} | birth_place = [[Fort Polk]], [[Louisiana]], U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | allegiance = United States | branch = [[United States Marine Corps]] | service_years = 1975–2019 | rank = [[General (United States)|General]] | unit = Headquarters U.S.Marine Corps | commands = [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]] [[United States Marine Corps Forces Command]] [[United States Marine Corps Forces Central Command]] [[Marine Corps University]] [[3rd Marine Division (United States)|3rd Marine Division]] [[6th Marine Regiment ]]

[[3rd LAR Battalion]] | battles = [[United States invasion of Panama]] [[Unified Task Force|Operation Restore Hope]] [[Iraq War]] | awards = [[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]] [[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]] [[Legion of Merit]] [[Bronze Star Medal]] [[Defense Meritorious Service Medal]] [[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]] (2) | alma_mater = [[University of Virginia]] [[Pepperdine University]] | relations = | other_work = }} '''Robert Blake Neller''' (born February 9, 1953) is a retired [[United States Marine Corps]] [[General (United States)|four-star general]] who served as the 37th [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]] from 2015 to 2019.<ref>{{cite news |access-date=2019-05-30 |url=https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/1597545/lt-gen-berger-relinquishes-command-to-lt-gen-craparotta/|title=Lt.Gen. Berger relinquishes command to Lt.Gen. Craparotta|date=August 9, 2018|last=Miller |first=LCPL Thomas|work=Press Release |publisher=Marine Corps Base Hawaii, United States Marine Corps}}</ref>

Neller was born in [[Louisiana]] and was raised in [[Michigan]]. He was commissioned in the [[United States Marine Corps]] after graduating from the [[University of Virginia]] in 1975 and served as an infantry officer. During his career he was deployed to [[Panama]], [[Somalia]] and [[Iraq]]. As a general officer he served as the commanding general of the [[3rd Marine Division]], the Director of Operations on the [[Joint Staff]], the commander of [[United States Marine Corps Forces Central Command|Marine Corps Forces Central Command]], and commander of [[United States Marine Corps Forces Command|Marine Corps Forces Command]] as well as commanding general of [[Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic]].

==Early life and education== Neller was born in [[Fort Polk|Camp Polk]], [[Louisiana]] on February 9, 1953.<ref name="VA">{{Cite web |last=Maalouf |first=Khaled |title=#VeteranOfTheDay Marine Veteran Robert Neller |url=https://news.va.gov/111365/veteranoftheday-marine-veteran-robert-neller/ |work=News.va.gov |date=November 25, 2022 }}</ref> A native of [[East Lansing]], [[Michigan]], he graduated from [[East Lansing High School]] in 1971.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Palmer|first1=Ken|title=East Lansing native set to become top U.S. Marine |url=http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2015/07/24/east-lansing-native-set-become-top-us-marine/30631607/ |access-date=March 24, 2017|publisher=Lansing State Journal|date=July 24, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allgov.com/news/appointments-and-resignations/commandant-of-the-us-marine-corps-who-is-robert-neller-151017?news=857653|title = Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps: Who is Robert Neller?}}</ref> He enrolled in the [[University of Virginia]] and, at graduation, received his commission through [[Officer Candidates School (United States Marine Corps)|Officer Candidates School]] via the [[Platoon Leaders Class]] program in May 1975.<ref name="usmc">{{cite web |title=Lieutenant General Robert B. Neller, Commander |publisher=Marine Corps |url=http://www.marforcom.marines.mil/Leaders/tabid/1800/Article/509670/lieutenant-general-robert-b-neller.aspx |access-date=July 1, 2015 |archive-date=August 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827094012/http://www.marforcom.marines.mil/Leaders/tabid/1800/Article/509670/lieutenant-general-robert-b-neller.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Neller is a graduate of [[The Basic School]], Armor Officer Advanced Course (now the [[Maneuver Captains Career Course]]), [[Marine Corps University|Marine Corps Command and Staff College]], [[NATO Defense College]], and the [[Armed Forces Staff College]]. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Speech Communication from the [[University of Virginia]] and a Master of Arts in Human Resource Management from [[Pepperdine University]].<ref name="usmc" /> Neller is a member of [[Theta Chi]] fraternity.

==Marine career== ===Early career=== Neller's assignments in the operating forces include: Rifle and Weapons Platoon Commander and Company Commander with Company L, [[3rd Battalion, 4th Marines]], 3rd Marine Division; Commanding Officer, Company A, [[1st Battalion, 1st Marines]]; Commanding Officer, 3rd Light Armored Infantry Battalion (LAI) and Commanding Officer, [[6th Marine Regiment]] from 10 July 1998 to 6 July 2000.<ref>{{cite web |title=2ND MARINE DIVISION AND ITS REGIMENTS |url=https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/THE%202D%20MARINE%20DIVISION%20AND%20ITS%20REGIMENTS%20%20PCN%2019000319300.pdf |website=www.usmcu.edu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026232730/https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/THE%202D%20MARINE%20DIVISION%20AND%20ITS%20REGIMENTS%20%20PCN%2019000319300.pdf |access-date=2017-03-09|archive-date=October 26, 2020 }}</ref> While with 3rd LAI he participated in [[Operation Restore Hope]] in [[Somalia]]. As the Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Security Force Company, Panama, he participated in [[United States invasion of Panama|Operations Just Cause and Promote Liberty]]. Additionally, he served as Executive Officer, 7th Marine Regiment, G-3, II Marine Expeditionary Force and G-3, 2nd Marine Division.<ref name="usmc" />

Other assignments include recruit series officer, aide-de-camp and as Director of Special Training Division MCRD San Diego, California. Neller served as Student Company Executive Officer and Tactics Instructor at [[The Basic School]], Quantico, Virginia, and in Special Projects Directorate Headquarters Marine Corps. Additionally, he served as a Staff Officer in the Policy Division of the [[Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe]] in Casteau, Belgium.<ref name="usmc" />

===General officer=== [[File:Joseph F. Dunford relinquished command to Gen. Robert B. Neller.jpg|thumb|Commandant [[Joseph Dunford]] relinquishes command to Neller (right), 2015]]

As a [[general officer]], Neller has served as the Assistant Division Commander of the 2nd Marine Division and the Director, Operations Division, Plans, Policies and Operations. He was also the Deputy Commanding General (Operations), [[1st Marine Expeditionary Force]] (Forward) during an especially dangerous time of the [[Iraq War]] from 2005 to 2007,<ref name="USNI" /> and as the Assistant Division Commander for [[1st Marine Division (United States)|1st Marine Division]]. Neller commanded [[3rd Marine Division (United States)|3rd Marine Division]] and served as President, [[Marine Corps University]]. From January 2011 to July 2012, he served as Director for Operations, J3, The Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.<ref name="usmc" />

From September 2012 to June 2014 he served as commander, [[United States Marine Corps Forces Central Command|Marine Corps Forces Central Command]].<ref name="DOD">{{Cite web |title=General Robert B. Neller |url=https://www.war.gov/About/Biographies/Biography/Article/620955/retired-general-robert-b-neller/ |work=Department of Defense official biography }} {{PD-notice}}</ref> In this role he was responsible for the 15,000 Marines that were in the Middle East at the time, in the [[United States Central Command]] area of responsibility. Neller was the first dedicated commander of MARCENT to be at its headquarters at [[MacDill Air Force Base]] in Florida, as the role was previously held by the commander of [[I Marine Expeditionary Force]] at [[Camp Pendleton]], [[California]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/military/macdill/marine-corps-designates-standalone-command-at-macdill/1252044/ |title=Marine Corps designates standalone command at MacDill |newspaper=[[Tampa Bay Times]] |date=17 September 2012}}</ref>

In June 2014 he became the commander of [[United States Marine Corps Forces Command|Marine Corps Forces Command]] in [[Norfolk, Virginia]], where he oversaw the preparation of Marines for operations and deployment, as well as East Coast Marine bases. In that role he was also the head of [[United States Marine Corps Forces Europe|Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa]].<ref name="USNI">{{Cite web |last=Eckstein |first=Megan |title=Lt. Gen. Robert Neller Nominated to Serve as 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps |date=July 1, 2015 |url=https://news.usni.org/2015/07/01/lt-gen-robert-neller-nominated-to-serve-as-37th-commandant-of-the-marine-corps |work=[[USNI News]] }}</ref><ref name="MCTimes" />

===Commandant=== [[File:DoD supports 58th Presidential Inauguration 170120-D-YN705-088.jpg|thumb|Neller during the [[First inauguration of Donald Trump|inauguration of Donald Trump]], 2017]] Neller succeeded General [[Joseph Dunford]] as the 37th [[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]] on September 24, 2015. Defense Secretary [[Ash Carter]], who worked with Neller when he had been Director of Operations at the Joint Staff, said that Neller "is a warrior. He is a leader. He is a statesman." Him being chosen over other candidates was considered to be due to his experience of working with the Navy while being the head of Marine Forces Command, as the Marine Corps was considering a new doctrine that is based on a closer partnership with the Navy.<ref name="MCTimes">{{Cite news |last1=Mehta |first1=Aaron |last2=Seck |first2=Hope Hodge |title=Lt. Gen. Robert Neller tapped as next commandant of the Marine Corps |url=https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2015/07/01/lt-gen-robert-neller-tapped-as-next-commandant-of-the-marine-corps/ |date=July 1, 2015 |newspaper=[[Marine Corps Times]] }}</ref>

In June 2017, General Neller told Congress that the Marine Corps is "not currently organized, trained and equipped to face a peer adversary in the year 2025."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schogol |first=Jeff |date=September 18, 2017 |url=https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2017/09/18/the-next-fight-the-commandant-is-pushing-the-corps-to-be-ready-for-a-violent-violent-fight/ |title=The Next Fight: The commandant is pushing the Corps to be ready for a 'violent, violent fight' |newspaper=[[Marine Corps Times]] }}</ref>

== After retirement == [[File:Dedication Ceremony for the General Robert B. Neller Center for Wargaming and Analysis Neller and Mahoney shaking hands-Mahoney-31May2025.jpg|thumb|Gen. Robert Neller and Gen. Mahoney, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, at the dedication ceremony for the General Robert B. Neller Center for Wargaming and Analysis on MCB Quantico, May 31, 2024]] On February 12, 2021, Secretary of Defense [[Lloyd Austin]] appointed Neller as one of four Departmental representatives to the [[Commission on the Naming of Items of the Department of Defense that Commemorate the Confederate States of America or Any Person Who Served Voluntarily with the Confederate States of America]].<ref name="Austin_CSA commission">{{cite web |title=Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the Department's Representatives to the Congressionally-Mandated Commission on the Naming of Items in the Department of Defense That Commemorate the Confederate States of America |url=https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2502459/statement-by-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-the-departments-represe/ |website=U.S. Department of Defense |access-date=12 February 2021 |date=12 February 2021}}</ref>

=== Center at Quantico === On May 31, 2024, the General Robert B. Neller Center for Wargaming and Analysis, located on [[MCB Quantico]], was dedicated in Neller's honor.<ref name=WargamingDedication2024>{{cite web|accessdate=May 4, 2025|url=https://www.dvidshub.net/image/8442889/dedication-ceremony-general-robert-b-neller-center-wargaming-and-analysis|title=The Dedication Ceremony for the General Robert B. Neller Center for Wargaming and Analysis|date=May 31, 2024|publisher=DVIDS}}</ref>

==Awards and decorations== {| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |- | colspan="4"|{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Defense Distinguished Service ribbon.svg|width=106}} {{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Bronze Star Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Defense Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=award-star|ribbon=Meritorious Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Service Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Combat Action Ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}} |- |{{ribbon devices|number=5|type=oak|ribbon=Joint Meritorious Unit Award (USMC and USN frame).svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Unit Commendation ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Marine_Corps_Expeditionary_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}} |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Iraq Campaign Medal ribbon, 2nd award.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Global War on Terrorism Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Armed Forces Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.svg|width=106}}[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]][[File:Silver-service-star-3d.svg|18px]][[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]] |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy Arctic Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}}[[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]][[File:Bronze-service-star-3d-vector.svg|18px]] |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=U.S. Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |- |[[File:Ordre national du Merite Commandeur ribbon.svg|106px]] |{{ribbon devices|ribbon=Order of Naval Merit - Commander (Brazil) - ribbon bar.png|width=106}} |[[File:Tong-il Security Medel Ribbon.svg|106px]] |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=NATO Medal Yugoslavia ribbon bar.svg|width=106}} |- |colspan="2"|[[File:USMC_Rifle_Expert_badge.png|150px]] |colspan="2"|[[File:USMC_Pistol_Expert_badge.png|150px]] |- | colspan="4"|[[File:Joint Chiefs of Staff seal.svg|130px]] |} {| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |- !1st row |colspan="6"|[[Defense Distinguished Service Medal]] |colspan="6"|[[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]] |- !2nd row |colspan="3"|[[Legion of Merit]] |colspan="3"|[[Bronze Star Medal]] |colspan="3"|[[Defense Meritorious Service Medal]] |colspan="3"|[[Meritorious Service Medal (United States)|Meritorious Service Medal]] w/ 1 gold [[award star]] |- !3rd row |colspan="3"|[[Commendation Medal|Joint Service Commendation Medal]] |colspan="3"|[[Commendation Medal|Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal]] |colspan="3"|[[Achievement Medal|Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal]] |colspan="3"|[[Combat Action Ribbon]] w/ 1 award star |- !4th row |colspan="3"|[[Joint Meritorious Unit Award]] w/ 1 silver [[oak leaf cluster]] |colspan="3"|[[Navy Unit Commendation]] w/ 1 bronze [[service star]] |colspan="3"|[[Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal]] |colspan="3"|[[National Defense Service Medal]] w/ 1 service star |- !5th row |colspan="3"|[[Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal]] |colspan="3"|[[Iraq Campaign Medal]] w/ 2 service stars |colspan="3"|[[Global War on Terrorism Service Medal]] |colspan="3"|[[Armed Forces Service Medal]] |- !6th row |colspan="3"|[[Sea Service Ribbon|Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon]] w/ 1 silver and 2 bronze service stars |colspan="3"|[[Navy Arctic Service Ribbon]] |colspan="3"|[[Overseas Service Ribbon|Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon]] w/ 2 service stars |colspan="3"|[[Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon]] |- !7th row |colspan="3"|[[National Order of Merit (France)|French National Order of Merit]], Commander<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2018/05/25/commandant-awarded-french-national-order-of-merit/|title = Commandant awarded French National Order of Merit|date = May 27, 2018}}</ref> |colspan="3"|[[Order of Naval Merit (Brazil)|Brazilian Order of Naval Merit]], Commander<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alamy.com/commandant-of-the-us-marine-corps-gen-robert-b-neller-speaks-with-a-guest-after-receiving-the-medal-of-naval-order-and-merit-for-superior-officers-from-commandant-of-the-brazilian-navy-adm-eduardo-bacellar-leal-ferreira-during-a-visit-to-the-brazilian-naval-headquarters-in-rio-de-janeiro-brazil-aug-23-2018-gen-neller-visited-us-southern-command-to-meet-with-military-leaders-to-discuss-readiness-and-ongoing-partnership-with-the-us-marine-corps-us-marine-corps-photo-by-sgt-olivia-g-ortiz-image216567304.html|title = Stock Photo - Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Robert B. Neller speaks with a guest after receiving the Medal of Naval Order and Merit for Superior Officers from Commandant of the}}</ref> |colspan="3"|[[Order of National Security Merit (Korea)|Order of National Security Merit]], Tong-il Medal (Republic of Korea) |colspan="3"|[[NATO Medal]] for Former Yugoslavia |- !Badges |colspan="6"|[[Marksmanship Badge (United States)|Rifle Expert Badge]] (8th Award) |colspan="6"|[[Marksmanship Badge (United States)|Pistol Expert Badge]] (16th Award) |- !Badge |colspan="12"|[[Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge]] |}

==Notes== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Robert B. Neller}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20150704233225/http://www.marforeur.marines.mil/Leaders/LeadersView/tabid/22445/Article/521146/lieutenant-general-robert-b-neller.aspx Biography] at [[United States Marine Corps Forces, Europe|Marine Forces Europe and Africa]] website * [https://www.manpower.usmc.mil/portal/page/portal/M_RA_HOME/MM/0A_officer/MMSL%20-%20Biographies/General%20Neller%20Biography%20(1).pdf] Biography at USMC website *{{C-SPAN|9265333}}

{{s-start}} {{s-mil}} {{s-bef|before=[[Joseph V. Medina]] Acting}} {{s-ttl|title=[[List of 3rd Marine Division commanders|Commanding General of the 3rd Marine Division]]|years=2007-2008}} {{s-aft|after=[[James B. Laster]]}} {{s-bef|before=???}} {{s-ttl|title=President of the [[Marine Corps University]]|years=2009-2010}} {{s-aft|after=???}} {{s-bef|before=[[John M. Paxton Jr.]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Director for Operations of the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff#Joint Staff|Joint Staff]]|years=2011-2012}} {{s-aft|after=[[Kurt W. Tidd]]}} {{s-bef|before=[[Thomas D. Waldhauser]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Commander of the [[United States Marine Forces Central Command]]|years=2012-2014}} {{s-aft|after=[[Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr.]]}} {{s-bef|before=[[John M. Paxton Jr.]]}} {{s-ttl|title=Commander of the [[United States Marine Corps Forces Command]]|years=2014-2015}} {{s-aft|after=[[Bradford J. Gering]]}} {{s-bef|before=[[Joseph Dunford]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Commandant of the United States Marine Corps|Commandant of the Marine Corps]]|years=2015–2019}} {{s-aft|after=[[David H. Berger]]}} {{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Neller, Robert}} [[Category:1953 births]] [[Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Iraq War]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from East Lansing, Michigan]] [[Category:Recipients of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal]] [[Category:Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal]] [[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]] [[Category:United States Marine Corps generals]] [[Category:Commandants of the United States Marine Corps]] [[Category:Grand Cordons of the Order of the Rising Sun]] [[Category:East Lansing High School alumni]] [[Category:NATO Defense College alumni]] [[Category:Pepperdine University alumni]] [[Category:University of Virginia alumni]]