# Robert Neller

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Robert_Neller
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Robert_Neller.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Neller
> Source revision: 1353497684
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

US Marine Corps general and 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps

Robert B. Neller Official portrait, 2015 Born Robert Blake Neller (1953-02-09) February 9, 1953 (age 73) Fort Polk, Louisiana, U.S. Allegiance United States Branch United States Marine Corps Service years 1975–2019 Rank General Unit Headquarters U.S.Marine Corps Commands Commandant of the Marine Corps United States Marine Corps Forces Command United States Marine Corps Forces Central Command Marine Corps University 3rd Marine Division 6th Marine Regiment 3rd LAR Battalion Conflicts United States invasion of Panama 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 (2) Alma mater University of Virginia Pepperdine University

**Robert Blake Neller** (born February 9, 1953) is a retired [United States Marine Corps](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps) [four-star general](/source/General_(United_States)) who served as the 37th [Commandant of the Marine Corps](/source/Commandant_of_the_United_States_Marine_Corps) from 2015 to 2019.[1]

Neller was born in [Louisiana](/source/Louisiana) and was raised in [Michigan](/source/Michigan). He was commissioned in the [United States Marine Corps](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps) after graduating from the [University of Virginia](/source/University_of_Virginia) in 1975 and served as an infantry officer. During his career he was deployed to [Panama](/source/Panama), [Somalia](/source/Somalia) and [Iraq](/source/Iraq). As a general officer he served as the commanding general of the [3rd Marine Division](/source/3rd_Marine_Division), the Director of Operations on the [Joint Staff](/source/Joint_Staff), the commander of [Marine Corps Forces Central Command](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps_Forces_Central_Command), and commander of [Marine Corps Forces Command](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps_Forces_Command) as well as commanding general of [Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic](/source/Fleet_Marine_Force%2C_Atlantic).

## Early life and education

Neller was born in [Camp Polk](/source/Fort_Polk), [Louisiana](/source/Louisiana) on February 9, 1953.[2] A native of [East Lansing](/source/East_Lansing), [Michigan](/source/Michigan), he graduated from [East Lansing High School](/source/East_Lansing_High_School) in 1971.[3][4] He enrolled in the [University of Virginia](/source/University_of_Virginia) and, at graduation, received his commission through [Officer Candidates School](/source/Officer_Candidates_School_(United_States_Marine_Corps)) via the [Platoon Leaders Class](/source/Platoon_Leaders_Class) program in May 1975.[5]

Neller is a graduate of [The Basic School](/source/The_Basic_School), Armor Officer Advanced Course (now the [Maneuver Captains Career Course](/source/Maneuver_Captains_Career_Course)), [Marine Corps Command and Staff College](/source/Marine_Corps_University), [NATO Defense College](/source/NATO_Defense_College), and the [Armed Forces Staff College](/source/Armed_Forces_Staff_College). He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Speech Communication from the [University of Virginia](/source/University_of_Virginia) and a Master of Arts in Human Resource Management from [Pepperdine University](/source/Pepperdine_University).[5] Neller is a member of [Theta Chi](/source/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](/source/3rd_Battalion%2C_4th_Marines), 3rd Marine Division; Commanding Officer, Company A, [1st Battalion, 1st Marines](/source/1st_Battalion%2C_1st_Marines); Commanding Officer, 3rd Light Armored Infantry Battalion (LAI) and Commanding Officer, [6th Marine Regiment](/source/6th_Marine_Regiment) from 10 July 1998 to 6 July 2000.[6] While with 3rd LAI he participated in [Operation Restore Hope](/source/Operation_Restore_Hope) in [Somalia](/source/Somalia). As the Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Security Force Company, Panama, he participated in [Operations Just Cause and Promote Liberty](/source/United_States_invasion_of_Panama). Additionally, he served as Executive Officer, 7th Marine Regiment, G-3, II Marine Expeditionary Force and G-3, 2nd Marine Division.[5]

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](/source/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](/source/Supreme_Headquarters_Allied_Powers_Europe) in Casteau, Belgium.[5]

### General officer

Commandant [Joseph Dunford](/source/Joseph_Dunford) relinquishes command to Neller (right), 2015

As a [general officer](/source/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](/source/1st_Marine_Expeditionary_Force) (Forward) during an especially dangerous time of the [Iraq War](/source/Iraq_War) from 2005 to 2007,[7] and as the Assistant Division Commander for [1st Marine Division](/source/1st_Marine_Division_(United_States)). Neller commanded [3rd Marine Division](/source/3rd_Marine_Division_(United_States)) and served as President, [Marine Corps University](/source/Marine_Corps_University). From January 2011 to July 2012, he served as Director for Operations, J3, The Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.[5]

From September 2012 to June 2014 he served as commander, [Marine Corps Forces Central Command](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps_Forces_Central_Command).[8] 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](/source/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](/source/MacDill_Air_Force_Base) in Florida, as the role was previously held by the commander of [I Marine Expeditionary Force](/source/I_Marine_Expeditionary_Force) at [Camp Pendleton](/source/Camp_Pendleton), [California](/source/California).[9]

In June 2014 he became the commander of [Marine Corps Forces Command](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps_Forces_Command) in [Norfolk, Virginia](/source/Norfolk%2C_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 [Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps_Forces_Europe).[7][10]

### Commandant

Neller during the [inauguration of Donald Trump](/source/First_inauguration_of_Donald_Trump), 2017

Neller succeeded General [Joseph Dunford](/source/Joseph_Dunford) as the 37th [Commandant of the Marine Corps](/source/Commandant_of_the_United_States_Marine_Corps) on September 24, 2015. Defense Secretary [Ash Carter](/source/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.[10]

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."[11]

## After retirement

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](/source/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](/source/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).[12]

### Center at Quantico

On May 31, 2024, the General Robert B. Neller Center for Wargaming and Analysis, located on [MCB Quantico](/source/MCB_Quantico), was dedicated in Neller's honor.[13]

## Awards and decorations

1st row Defense Distinguished Service Medal Navy Distinguished Service Medal 2nd row Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal w/ 1 gold award star 3rd row Joint Service Commendation Medal Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Combat Action Ribbon w/ 1 award star 4th row Joint Meritorious Unit Award w/ 1 silver oak leaf cluster Navy Unit Commendation w/ 1 bronze service star Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star 5th row Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Iraq Campaign Medal w/ 2 service stars Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Armed Forces Service Medal 6th row Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 1 silver and 2 bronze service stars Navy Arctic Service Ribbon Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon w/ 2 service stars Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon 7th row French National Order of Merit, Commander[14] Brazilian Order of Naval Merit, Commander[15] Order of National Security Merit, Tong-il Medal (Republic of Korea) NATO Medal for Former Yugoslavia Badges Rifle Expert Badge (8th Award) Pistol Expert Badge (16th Award) Badge Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Miller, LCPL Thomas (August 9, 2018). ["Lt.Gen. Berger relinquishes command to Lt.Gen. Craparotta"](https://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/1597545/lt-gen-berger-relinquishes-command-to-lt-gen-craparotta/). *Press Release*. Marine Corps Base Hawaii, United States Marine Corps. Retrieved May 30, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-VA_2-0)** Maalouf, Khaled (November 25, 2022). ["#VeteranOfTheDay Marine Veteran Robert Neller"](https://news.va.gov/111365/veteranoftheday-marine-veteran-robert-neller/). *News.va.gov*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Palmer, Ken (July 24, 2015). ["East Lansing native set to become top U.S. Marine"](http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2015/07/24/east-lansing-native-set-become-top-us-marine/30631607/). Lansing State Journal. Retrieved March 24, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps: Who is Robert Neller?"](http://www.allgov.com/news/appointments-and-resignations/commandant-of-the-us-marine-corps-who-is-robert-neller-151017?news=857653).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-usmc_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-usmc_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-usmc_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-usmc_5-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-usmc_5-4) ["Lieutenant General Robert B. Neller, Commander"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150827094012/http://www.marforcom.marines.mil/Leaders/tabid/1800/Article/509670/lieutenant-general-robert-b-neller.aspx). Marine Corps. Archived from [the original](http://www.marforcom.marines.mil/Leaders/tabid/1800/Article/509670/lieutenant-general-robert-b-neller.aspx) on August 27, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["2ND MARINE DIVISION AND ITS REGIMENTS"](https://web.archive.org/web/20201026232730/https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/THE%202D%20MARINE%20DIVISION%20AND%20ITS%20REGIMENTS%20%20PCN%2019000319300.pdf) (PDF). *www.usmcu.edu*. Archived from [the original](https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/THE%202D%20MARINE%20DIVISION%20AND%20ITS%20REGIMENTS%20%20PCN%2019000319300.pdf) (PDF) on October 26, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-USNI_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-USNI_7-1) Eckstein, Megan (July 1, 2015). ["Lt. Gen. Robert Neller Nominated to Serve as 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps"](https://news.usni.org/2015/07/01/lt-gen-robert-neller-nominated-to-serve-as-37th-commandant-of-the-marine-corps). *[USNI News](/source/USNI_News)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-DOD_8-0)** ["General Robert B. Neller"](https://www.war.gov/About/Biographies/Biography/Article/620955/retired-general-robert-b-neller/). *Department of Defense official biography*. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [public domain](/source/Public_domain).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Marine Corps designates standalone command at MacDill"](https://www.tampabay.com/news/military/macdill/marine-corps-designates-standalone-command-at-macdill/1252044/). *[Tampa Bay Times](/source/Tampa_Bay_Times)*. September 17, 2012.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-MCTimes_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-MCTimes_10-1) Mehta, Aaron; Seck, Hope Hodge (July 1, 2015). ["Lt. Gen. Robert Neller tapped as next commandant of the Marine Corps"](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2015/07/01/lt-gen-robert-neller-tapped-as-next-commandant-of-the-marine-corps/). *[Marine Corps Times](/source/Marine_Corps_Times)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Schogol, Jeff (September 18, 2017). ["The Next Fight: The commandant is pushing the Corps to be ready for a 'violent, violent fight'"](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/). *[Marine Corps Times](/source/Marine_Corps_Times)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Austin_CSA_commission_12-0)** ["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"](https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2502459/statement-by-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-the-departments-represe/). *U.S. Department of Defense*. February 12, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-WargamingDedication2024_13-0)** ["The Dedication Ceremony for the General Robert B. Neller Center for Wargaming and Analysis"](https://www.dvidshub.net/image/8442889/dedication-ceremony-general-robert-b-neller-center-wargaming-and-analysis). DVIDS. May 31, 2024. Retrieved May 4, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Commandant awarded French National Order of Merit"](https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/your-marine-corps/2018/05/25/commandant-awarded-french-national-order-of-merit/). May 27, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["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"](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).

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Robert B. Neller](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Robert_B._Neller).

- [Biography](https://web.archive.org/web/20150704233225/http://www.marforeur.marines.mil/Leaders/LeadersView/tabid/22445/Article/521146/lieutenant-general-robert-b-neller.aspx) at [Marine Forces Europe and Africa](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps_Forces%2C_Europe) website

- [\[1\]](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

- [Appearances](https://www.c-span.org/person/?9265333) on [C-SPAN](/source/C-SPAN)

Military offices Preceded by Joseph V. Medina Acting Commanding General of the 3rd Marine Division 2007-2008 Succeeded by James B. Laster Preceded by ??? President of the Marine Corps University 2009-2010 Succeeded by ??? Preceded by John M. Paxton Jr. Director for Operations of the Joint Staff 2011-2012 Succeeded by Kurt W. Tidd Preceded by Thomas D. Waldhauser Commander of the United States Marine Forces Central Command 2012-2014 Succeeded by Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. Preceded by John M. Paxton Jr. Commander of the United States Marine Corps Forces Command 2014-2015 Succeeded by Bradford J. Gering Preceded by Joseph Dunford Commandant of the Marine Corps 2015–2019 Succeeded by David H. Berger

Leadership of the United States Marine Corps Commandants Nicholas Burrows Wharton Gale Henderson Harris Zeilin McCawley Heywood Elliott Biddle Barnett Lejeune Neville Fuller Russell Holcomb Vandegrift Cates Shepherd Pate Shoup Greene Chapman Cushman Wilson Barrow Kelley Gray Mundy Krulak Jones Hagee Conway Amos Dunford Neller Berger Smith Assistant Commandants Cole Lejeune Long Neville Feland Williams Fuller Myers Russell McDougal Little H. Smith Vandegrift Barrett Keyser Schmidt Rockey Peck Turnage Shepherd O. Smith Silverthorn G. C. Thomas Pate Megee McCaul Munn Hayes Mangrum Chapman Walt McCutcheon R. Davis Anderson Jaskilka Barrow McLennan Kelley J. Davis Morgan Went J. R. Dailey Boomer Hearney Neal Dake Williams Nyland Magnus Amos Dunford Paxton Walters G. L. Thomas E. M. Smith Mahoney Gering Sergeants Major Bestwick Rauber McHugh Sweet J. W. Daily Puckett Black Massaro Crawford Cleary Sommers Overstreet Lee McMichael Estrada Kent Barrett Green Black Ruiz Secretary of the Navy (navbox) Four-star generals Headquarters Marine Corps Category

Authority control databases International VIAF WorldCat National United States

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Robert Neller](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Neller) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Neller?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.