This is not a bunch of old guys that dont know what theyre talking about, he said. Zeff grew up in Davie, Florida, just west of Fort Lauderdale. An official website of the United States Government, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. <> Samuel Heilman First, I think during a conflict, it's difficult to draw all of the deeper lessons learned. Now officially a Marine after completing boot camp in November, Zeff is on a 10-day leave at home in Florida before reporting to the fort for advanced infantry training. It also says that the recommendations made by then-Defense Secretary Mattis as part of his Close-Combat Lethality Task Force have all been accepted, and have resulted in major lethality upgrades for our small units.. <>3]/P 6 0 R/Pg 189 0 R/S/Link>> @G4Uf9N`oj0b0ekT.[,Mln-CWBO}Z/8y27?btWN&bIthPLh/ <>stream Appligent AppendPDF Pro 6.3 "I think this is a really important strategic inflection point for the Marine Corps as well.". (Courtesy), Zachary Zeff on a pre-boot camp trip to Israel. Berger commanded 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines from 2002 to 2004, deploying the battalion first to Okinawa, and later to Haiti in support of Operation Secure Tomorrow. view all I want to focus on two ideas in particular that emerged out of all his boundary-crossing. <>37 0 R]/P 22 0 R/S/Link>> Then to further incentivize honest and open critiques, Scheller was placed under a gag order and then confined to a brig when he continued to speak out. Berger seemed most at home when the Marines were in the field. 187 0 obj "They will put you in your place if you start to get a little big in the head in a heartbeat.". 26: What would Israels founding parents think about it at 75? Freedom comes at a cost, Bergers statement read after the deaths of those Marines at Kabul airport. He commanded at every level - including a Reconnaissance Company; 3d Battalion, 8th Marines in Haiti during Operation SECURE TOMORROW; and . He has commanded Marines in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring. He has completed jumpmaster and Navy dive school. He holds multiple advanced degrees including a Master of International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. Current plans call for shedding troops and equipment in preparation to take on China. ].lONr1}\E5]}*MR+pJ,_1{)p+ BL%2qF\m?|)ftG?~%Moe~=' ,Q. 2023-03-03T09:54:52-08:00 This Report is for You. All across America there are recruiting billboards for the Marine Corps with the message, For Marines There Are Only Battles Won. 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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES . It was simply his last summer as a civilian, a summer that included a Birthright trip followed by a visit with his older sister in Tel Aviv. But some experts agree with Bergers planned changes as the way to evolve the Marine Corps into a force that can compete with China. While Berger was defending critical race theory in the military, the bloody road to the murder of 11 Marines was being paved. endobj A large segment of Israeli society experiences the countrys 75th anniversary with a sense of anxiety. I am proud that I had the opportunity to serve with him.". At 23, Zeff is slightly older than the average recruit. [11][12][13] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on June 5, and took command in a ceremony held July 11 at the Marine Barracks in Washington D.C.[14], On July 17, 2019, Berger issued his guidance for the Marine Corps: Disabled Veterans Sign up for a Career Change. Revelatory interviews on the hopes and expectations of Israels founding visionaries. . A native of Woodbine, Maryland, General Berger graduated from Tulane University and was commissioned in 1981. endobj During a change-of-command ceremony for I Marine Expeditionary Force, which Berger led until 2016, Gen. Robert Neller, the current commandant, had some high praise for the general's impact on the Marine Corps. 203 0 obj Berger would then go onto command the California-based I Marine Expeditionary Force and later Marine Corps Forces Pacific, where he oversaw troops in Japan, Australia, Guam and other locations in the region. 'Some Marines had never met a Jew before', Please use the following structure: example@domain.com, Send me The Times of Israel Daily Edition. endobj APRIL 28, 2023 . In a sign of how seriously Berger appears to take the generals criticisms, the Marine Corps has drafted an unpublished rebuttal to the criticisms that meets some of their points head-on. He was unflappable then and he's unflappable now.". General Bergers staff and joint assignments include serving as Assistant Division Commander of 2d Marine Division; policy planner in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, J-5; Chief of Staff for Kosovo Force (KFOR) Headquarters in Pristina, Kosovo; and Director of Operations in Plans, Policies, and Operations, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration. 204 0 obj Bergers presentation mentioned social justice as often as China. The games are run in conjunction with the Navys Pacific Fleet and the Army. Do you rely on The Times of Israel for accurate and insightful news on Israel and the Jewish world? General Bergers staff and joint assignments include serving as Assistant Division Commander of 2d Marine Division; policy planner in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, J-5; Chief of Staff for Kosovo Force (KFOR) Headquarters in Pristina, Kosovo; and Director of Operations in Plans, Policies, and Operations, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration. There is more, much more. "I'm excited to see someone with recent experience in the Pacific being nominated for this post because I think it's really important for the Marine Corps to return to some of its core mission areas after 17 years of war in the Middle East," Magsamen said. General David H. Berger assumed the duties of Commandant of the Marine Corps on July 11, 2019.A native of Woodbine, Maryland, General Berger graduated from Tulane University and was commissioned . November 2022. The two first studied together at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies, where Berger earned a master's degree in international public policy. Berger has been a Marine officer for 38 years. Yet he also noted that Bergers efforts have already been blessed by Congress and the Pentagon brass, so putting a stop to them now is unlikely. endobj After high school he attended college for two years while Nathan pursued firefighting and Stephen began working in network engineering. The Corps 400-odd tanks have already been shifted to the Army, helicopter wings put in storage, and infantry units are being reconfigured to become smaller and more nimble. endobj But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community. Zeff isnt the first in his family to serve. He holds multiple advanced degrees including a Master of International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. But the land war against Russia has shifted Washingtons strategic calculations, and given new impetus to the retired generals mission. <> The Marine Corps two-year-old plan represents a fundamental shift in how the Corps equips its troops and goes to war. General David H. Berger assumed the duties of Commandant of the Marine Corps on July 11, 2019. A native of Woodbine, Maryland, General Berger graduated from Tulane University and was commissioned in 1981. "He has that professional, quiet confidence. "He's not a big loud guy -- he's somewhat reserved," she said. While a top general was fired for a slur, no one has been fired for the deaths of 11 Marines. During the George Floyd riots, Berger had warned that there is no place in our Corps for racists whether their intolerance and prejudice be direct or indirect, intentional or unintentional.. 17 0 obj <>13]/P 24 0 R/Pg 189 0 R/S/Link>> However, he kept his grandfathers Prayer book for Jews in the US Armed Forces on his shelf next to his other Marine books and knickknacks. When he made one-star, he joked about his family being quick to step in to make sure he remained grounded. 1 opioid consumer per capita, Israel faces addiction epidemic, Obama, Spielberg and Springsteen dazzle Barcelona restaurant, US House Speaker McCarthy: If Biden doesnt invite Netanyahu soon, I will, The dictator and I: A visit to Turkmenistan reveals the limits of Israeli diplomacy, Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a TV show? He did not mention Afghanistan, Iran, or Al Qaeda. While serving as assistant division commander of 2nd Marine Division, Berger was appointed to the rank of brigadier general. Berger has been a Marine officer for 38 years. Berger and his supporters have said equipment such as tanks and artillery tubes arent suited to that Pacific fight. Zeff wasnt officially a Marine then he was, in fact, several weeks shy of reporting to Parris Island, South Carolina, for boot camp. If so, please join The Times of Israel Community. Major defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies manufacture anti-ship missiles, precision-guided rockets and loitering munitions that the plan outlines as investment areas. x]moH AZd3cA-dz^jREKq,/bUw? Current Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger on Thursday warned that even though the leaders are retired, when they voice their views loudly it reflects on those currently serving in the. Commandant of the Marine Corps General David Berger's "Force Design 2030" has caused quite a stir. Zeffs parents, stepparents, brothers Zeff is a triplet and girlfriend all attended his graduation. Specifically, nowhere within the pages of our [Force Design 2030] have we said that tanks are irrelevant despite what is happening in Ukraine today, states the draft, obtained by POLITICO. Click the link in that email to complete your registration. "I've never seen him lose his temper, or I guess on the other hand, be over-exuberant or overly celebratory.". Scan this QR code to visit this page online: Daniel Greenfield is an Israeli born blogger and columnist, and a Shillman Fellow at the David Horowitz Freedom Center. Without them, Marines today are less capable than two decades ago., In a Marine Corps Times op-ed, Van Riper bemoaned that the Corps will have more space experts, cyber warriors, influence specialists, missileers and others with unique skills than Marines prepared to close with and destroy the enemy.. Kelly Magsamen, vice president of national security and international policy at the Center for American Progress, has served with Berger in a different role. The 38th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, General David H. Berger, and the 19th Sergeant Major of the U.S. Marine Corps, Sgt. As a triplet, along with his two brothers Nathan and Stephen, Zeff went to Jewish day school for a couple of years. Both of these are antithetical to the Marine Corps sense of identity., Hoffman added that despite some claims that not enough thought had been put into the changes, all of them had been previously vetted by the Pentagon. If something went wrong, it was reassuring to see Berger at the battalion command post, DeBoda added. After serving as a platoon commander, Berger joined 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion during Desert Storm, where he served as company commander and operations officer. An influential group of over two dozen retired generals has launched a counteroffensive against plans to transform the Marine Corps, and is using their clout in a high-power pressure campaign to get Congress to slam on the brakes. 1 0 obj Other Marines who served with Berger at various points in his career highlighted his passion for leading young Marines and his calm demeanor in the face of anything. Lawmakers arent the only ones who back Bergers plan. It takes to heart the 2018 National Defense Strategy, which said the armed forces need to train and equip to meet the China challenge. From 2009 to 2011 he served at Headquarters Marine Corps as the director of operations in plans, policies, and operations. endobj Rather, modern threats require the U.S. to have long-range precision rockets, small loitering armed drones, and mobile ship-killing missiles that Marines can use to protect U.S. and allied vessels. Its been welcomed by defense contractors and lobbyists as well, because money is still flowing on a variety of new projects. We have and will continue to actively work to identify recruits and Marines who hold extremist views and we look forward to participating in the Secretary of Defenses new Countering Extremism Working Group to develop additional methods of keeping extremists from within our ranks, Berger vowed, declaring war on fellow Marines instead of on Americas enemies. It takes just a few seconds. That kind of leadership is not surprising to DeBoda. He lived for the tactics, Meyer said. But that wasn't the case for Berger. We think the cuts are far too drastic and really, greatly diminish the capability of the Marine Corps as a combined arms team and move it away from its traditional role.. Instead of fighting Al Qaeda, the Marines were confronting issues of inequality. They're a hoot," he said at his promotion ceremony. Will history repeat after PM gets McCarthy invite to DC? He was so proud to be both [Jewish and American] there. The latest version, Global 14, took place in November, and was overseen by Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, Berger and Adm. John Aquilino, the commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. %PDF-1.7 % He's also leading experimental efforts that have Marines thinking about long-range precision fires and getting gear into the fight using robots, drones and other technology. In the classroom, Magsamen found Berger to be analytical, mild-mannered and eager to hear his classmates' perspectives. We normally keep our grandfathers WWII memorabilia all together a photo album, his glasses, his bronze star. Inevitably his fellow recruits nicknamed him Dad and Papa. Zeff doesnt mind, and said his age helped him through some of the more grueling aspects of boot camp. General Berger has failed the Marine Corps and the United States of America. Gen. David H. Berger, commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, said at the memorial that Williams always took exception to the notion . 41 0 obj 5 0 obj Wikipedia David Hilberry Berger (born December 21, 1959) is a United States Marine Corps general currently serving as the 38th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. Theres some places on Earth, maybe more than a handful, where youre not allowed to read books. There arent that many Jews in the military and I wanted him to know hes Jewish before he went in and not lose himself in it [training], Rebecca said. [3], Since his commissioning in 1981, he has served in a variety of command and staff billets, including his participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Rebecca said she made her younger brother promise hed attend services on Sundays, the only day available for worship, during boot camp. 14 0 obj Of the Jews who serve, about 1% serve in the Marine Corps. NEW YORK Private First Class Zachary Zeff was awestruck when he first laid eyes on the new United States embassy in Jerusalem this past summer. 199 0 obj All Rights Reserved. The sinners have much more fun at what cost? His grandfather, Paul T. Zeff, was an Army combat medic during World War II, and his uncle served in the Air Force. Webb, in his Wall Street Journal op-ed, first disclosed the existence of the group. Registering also lets you comment on articles and helps us improve your experience. Need to Renew Your Israeli Passport? "He's always had a steady hand," he said. Bergers plan challenges the Corps culture because it seems to shift its function from offense to defense and trade manpower for technology, Hoffman said. What enemy was the Marine Corps tasked with fighting? Obviously, theres no easy part of boot camp, but I think having that mature mindset helped me know where I was and why I was there. And just a hell of a nice guy. General Bergers formal military education includes the U.S. Army Infantry Officer Advanced Course, U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and U.S. Marine Corps School of Advanced Warfighting. Biography and Sociology: Berger on Religion as Choice rather than Fate The Jewish Press 2020. Instead he had repeated the slur only to complain about the inappropriateness of playing music containing the slur at a Marine Corps training event. A native of Woodbine, Maryland, General Berger graduated from Tulane University and was commissioned in 1981.

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