Politics & Government

First African-American Appointed to Command 1st Marine Division

Maj. Gen. Ronald Bailey assumed command on Thursday from Maj. Gen. Michael Regner in a Camp Pendleton ceremony.

Maj. Gen. Ronald Bailey on Thursday became the first African-American to take command of the 1st Marine Division.

The Los Angeles Times reported on its website Friday that Bailey is succeeding Maj. Gen. Michael Regner, who will take command of Marine forces in South Korea.

Bailey was appointed in January to head the Marine Corps Recruiting Command. He also served as commanding general of the San Diego Western Recruiting Region and Marine Corps Recruit Depot, according to a Marine Corps Base press release at the time.

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Bailey graduated from Austin Peay State University in Tennessee in 1977 and was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant that same year. He served as an infantry officer.

When appointed to the Marine Corps Recruiting Command, Bailey said "... leadership is about influence and relationships—relationships with the American people. Our nation’s citizens expect us to be America’s expeditionary force in readiness committed to their protection at home and abroad; we will honor that expectation with the professional and empathetic execution of our mission within their communities nationwide."

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Los Angeles Times reports


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