WASHINGTON — For the first time in the 246-year history of the Marine Corps, Lt. Gen. Michael E. Langley will be the first Black Marine promoted to a four-star general.
In a hearing on Capitol Hill held on Monday, the senate unanimously confirmed Langley to one of the highest ranks of the Marine Corps. He will serve as the commander of U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany, and command all U.S. military forces in Africa.
NEWS: The Senate has just confirmed Michael Langley to be a four-star general in the United States Marine Corps. He’s been a Marine for more than 35 years. He's led an impressive career.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) August 2, 2022
And he’s now the first Black four-star general in the history of the Marines. pic.twitter.com/LKyszXVxnE
Langley is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana, and graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington. His career spans 35 years, starting in 1985 as an artillery officer. According to The Washington Post, Langley has served in Japan, Somalia and Afghanistan and has held top positions at the Pentagon.
According to Stars and Stripes, Langley was one of only six Black generals in the Marines as of last year.
His promotion and new post at U.S. Africa Command come on the heels of the return of troops to Somalia to counter Islamic extremists, according to The Marine Corps Times.
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