The Marine Corps is on track to be led by an acting commandant for the first time in 164 years as senators leave town for two weeks with no end in sight to a standoff over military confirmations.
The term for the current Marine commandant, Gen. David Berger, expires July 10, “at which time he must vacate the office, regardless of whether a successor has been appointed,” service spokesperson Maj. Jim Stenger told Military.com in an email last week. Berger’s deputy and nominated successor, Gen. Eric Smith, will fill the position in an acting role.
The failure to confirm Smith to be the next Marine Corps chief is due to a single-handed hold on confirmations by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., over Pentagon abortion leave policies. The position is the highest in the military so far to feel the pinch of Tuberville’s hold, but the Defense Department has warned that hundreds of officer promotions could be disrupted this year.
“Until a new commandant is confirmed by the Senate and appointed to the position, Gen. Smith will be the acting commandant, retaining the title and position of assistant commandant,” Stenger said.
The Senate left for its Fourth of July recess Thursday evening and is not scheduled to be back in session until the same day Berger retires, making it impossible for Smith to be confirmed before Berger leaves.
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Article URL : https://www.military.com/daily-news/2023/06/23/marines-face-no-confirmed-commandant-first-time-164-years.html