gen david h berger religion

"United States Public Records, 1970-2009", database, FamilySearch (, Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, MSC Student Conference on National Affairs, Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KR8R-HSF, "Lt.Gen. When he returned, Berger took command of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms in California as the service was shifting back toward integrated- and large-scale training exercises. Gen. David H. Berger addresses an audience of senior enlisted Marines and Sailors about Force Design at the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Symposium in Quantico, Va. on Oct. 17, 2019. Zeffs parents, stepparents, brothers Zeff is a triplet and girlfriend all attended his graduation. The changes being made to the Corps wont take away from its ability to deploy anywhere around the globe, the draft states, and leadership continues to plan for multiple contingencies. The plan at the heart of the fight, dubbed Force Design 2030 and released in March 2020, has won praise from many members of Congress and leaders from the other services also seeking to modernize their formations. Maneuvering is more difficult because things can be spotted, logistic lines are going to be much more challenging to maintain and so when youre faced with this kind of new battlefield, wouldnt you want the force to be less logistically intensive and more maneuverable?. The retired generals say the moves infringe on the Corps traditional strengths as a small, tough-as-nails battering ram called on to do everything from storming beaches to fighting in the mountains of Afghanistan. Do you rely on The Times of Israel for accurate and insightful news on Israel and the Jewish world? "I think the last thing on his mind is the notoriety or fame that might come with being commandant. 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. <><>123 0 R]/P 201 0 R/Pg 199 0 R/S/Link>> Bizarrely enough, Berger began his presentation, not with the threats to the United States that the Marine Corps existed to fight, but by declaring that, our nation has engaged in a long overdue conversation on race and social justice sparked by several visible incidents of institutional racism. Click the link in that email to complete your registration. On August 28, 2018, Berger assumed the billets of Commanding General of Marine Corps Combat Development Command and Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration. Printed from: https://www.jewishpress.com/indepth/columns/daniel-greenfield/fire-marine-corps-commandant-david-berger/2021/10/17/. "I really think he is the right person at the right time to really have an impact," Meyer said. 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 couple thoughts. 0WK2N%qK!ZR? x?4(8wI:9 endobj As a colonel, Berger commanded Regimental Combat Team 8 in Fallujah, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. 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. Thats what America and the fallen heroes in Kabul deserve. "When you talked with Dave, he would talk to you in a clear, conversational tone that explained anything you needed to know," DeBoda, who left the Marine Corps as a captain, said. Jews comprise about 2.2 percent of US population, and about one-third of one percent of the US military. "He's made the Marine Corps a better warfighting organization," Neller said, "which, at the end of the day is what we're all about.". When company commanders needed information, DeBoda said, they went straight to Berger. 40 0 obj Ukraine, Russia or New York, Florida? But it was in Jerusalem on the new embassy grounds where. After the horror, he claimed that he wanted an honest, open critique of what happened in Afghanistan. [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. He was unflappable then and he's unflappable now.". 39 0 obj His grandfather, Paul T. Zeff, was an Army combat medic during World War II, and his uncle served in the Air Force. Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. There is more, much more. Lawmakers arent the only ones who back Bergers plan. Honor graduate awards go to recruits who demonstrate fitness, strong leadership skills and are an overall example of what it is to be a Marine. 3 0 obj Im pretty sure Berger was nominated and confirmed because he had a track record for thinking forward and having some vision.. Meyer, now an attorney who's still close with Berger today, said the general recognizes the huge transition the Marine Corps is experiencing and the need to prepare the service to counter future threats. endobj 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. Rebecca said she made her younger brother promise hed attend services on Sundays, the only day available for worship, during boot camp. 187 0 obj The first of these is what Berger referred to as "the possibilities of religion and faith in an age of pluralism." Bergers presentation mentioned social justice as often as China. "Marine Corps General David H. Berger on Monday rebuked Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's edict requiring all Armed Forces personnel to submit to Covid-19 vaccinations under threat of court martial or discharge," reads the first line. 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. November 2022. Gen. David Berger received his fourth star and became the 38th commandant of the Marine Corps during a ceremony at the historic Marine Barracks Washington. 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. Appligent AppendPDF Pro 6.3 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. Commandant of the Marine Corps General David Berger's "Force Design 2030" has caused quite a stir. The Jewish Press 2020. endobj 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 . "[15] Highlights include refocusing the Marine Corps on high-end combat, shifting away from legacy platforms like tanks and artillery in favor of long-range missiles and drones. Sign in to stop seeing this, Now worlds no. 6 0 obj A Marine Corps spokesperson noted that the Corps has been actively stress-testing these ideas for years, well before Berger took office, primarily through the Global series of classified war games at the Naval War College in Rhode Island. <>1]/P 16 0 R/Pg 189 0 R/S/Link>> WAR? Over 80,000 Jews are estimated to have served in the US Armed Forces since 9/11. For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members. David Hilberry Berger (born December 21, 1959) is a United States Marine Corps four-star general currently serving as the 38th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. 7jKjK;nUU`I8Phc)E dJM}AwAe$*? Bergers efforts are the result of a lot of years looking at the evolving threat environment and the impact of technology said Dakota Wood, senior research fellow for defense programs at The Heritage Foundation. 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. Most of them were curious about it, and had a lot of questions, he said. Click the link in that email to complete registration so you can comment. 29 0 obj 186 0 obj A Marine. %PDF-1.7 % These opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Jewish Press. 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. Need to Renew Your Israeli Passport? Like the rest of the military brass, Berger initiated divisive conversations about race in which officers were expected to listen and accept any accusations from minority personnel. I want to focus on two ideas in particular that emerged out of all his boundary-crossing. Prince 14.2 (www.princexml.com) 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.. But that wasn't the case for Berger. "Dave is one the best leaders I've ever met, in the military or corporate world," he said. Berger has been a Marine officer for 38 years. White Hats See Defections Following Disappointing Midterms. A siddur [prayer book] that had been to Normandy and back was sitting in Zachs room as he prepared to go to boot camp himself, said Rebecca Zeff in a telephone call from her home in Tel Aviv. AppendPDF Pro 6.3 Linux 64 bit Aug 30 2019 Library 15.0.4 In July, Berger appearedto leap to the defenseof the Navys decision to promoteIbram X. Kendisracist tract,How To Be An Anti-Racist. Webb, in his Wall Street Journal op-ed, first disclosed the existence of the group. Its no surprise that the Corps in particular, with its mystique of grit and self-reliance, would struggle with such rapid, deep-rooted changes. The argument in Bergers new strategy is that in order for the Corps to shift its mission, and absent a massive infusion of new funding, tough decisions had to be made. <>/Metadata 2 0 R/Outlines 5 0 R/Pages 3 0 R/StructTreeRoot 6 0 R/Type/Catalog/ViewerPreferences<>>> That frustration led to a March 26 opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal by Jim Webb, a former Navy secretary and a Marine Vietnam veteran, who said the talks with Berger were unsuccessful, and declared the gloves have now come off. Similar pieces by retired Marine officers and other backers have appeared in other news outlets, hoping to stir up both the military audience and members of Congress. "I have a tremendous family. What does it say about Berger that a slur is worse than the deaths of 11 American heroes? He commanded at every level - including a Reconnaissance Company; 3d Battalion, 8th. Registering also lets you comment on articles and helps us improve your experience. In late March, Berger was nominated to pin on a fourth star and serve as the 38th commandant of the Marine Corps. "There was never a hint of irritation or impatience. All embassies are guarded by Marines, and so it was just so cool to see them. As the son of an airman as well as a husband and father of four, Berger has credited his family with supporting him throughout his career. Nearly 400 Marines had been killed and nearly 5,000 wounded in Afghanistan. As you are aware, we cannot create new senior leaders in a day. <>stream The roster of personalities includes every living former commandant, along with a slew of other retired four-star generals revered within the Corps. "He had a tremendous amount of respect for his noncommissioned officers and the amount of responsibility he would give them," Meyer said. endobj But the land war against Russia has shifted Washingtons strategic calculations, and given new impetus to the retired generals mission. By General David H. Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps. He has commanded Marines in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring. <> endstream 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. Berger holds a BSc in Engineering from Tulane University, and two master's degrees, one in International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University, and the other in Military Studies. As a General Officer, he commanded 1st Marine Division (Forward) in Afghanistan during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM; I Marine Expeditionary Force; U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific/Fleet Marine Forces Pacific; and Marine Corps Combat Development Command. The Marine Corps two-year-old plan represents a fundamental shift in how the Corps equips its troops and goes to war. fixed-wing pilots, as well as the paucity of female general officers. Berger said he's honored to be considered for the role and is looking forward to the nomination process, according to a statement provided to Military.com. The cost of freedom isnt a hollow cliche, its accountability and integrity from officials. "I think that will be extremely valuable to the Marine Corps. After serving as a platoon commander, Berger joined 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion during Desert Storm, where he served as company commander and operations officer. Incorrect password. And at MARFORPAC, Berger oversaw the first operational deployments of the F-35B joint-strike fighters in the theater and a bigger footprint in Australia. A spokesperson for Berger declined to comment on the specifics of the retired generals criticisms, and instead pointed to statements Berger has made to Congress and in public as to why the modernization push is necessary. 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. And if that wasnt impressive enough, Islamic terrorists could tremble at the thought of the new gender-integrated training in Parris Island. Several of the generals met with Berger on March 3 to voice their concerns, but walked away dissatisfied that they had been heard, Paul Van Riper, a retired lieutenant general who served as head of Marine Corps Combat Development Command, told POLITICO. The Marines have already mothballed hundreds of Abrams tanks, warehoused several helicopter squadrons, and are rapidly swapping cannons for rocket artillery. A native of Woodbine, Maryland, General Berger graduated from Tulane University and was commissioned in 1981. Because there are few Jews in the armed forces, Rebecca encouraged Zeff to go on Birthright and then visit her in Tel Aviv. The highest echelon of Marine Corps leadership from the Civilian, Enlisted and Officer Corps, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. So some, of course, will come over time and with deeper . But it was in Jerusalem on the new embassy grounds where Zeffs pride in being American and Jewish came together. Like several leaders in recent years, Berger would host barbecues and other commanding general events, where he hosted NCOs to hear about their needs and what was on their minds. His writing can be found at http://sultanknish.blogspot.com/ Much like on campus, being accused of unintentional offense was a hanging crime. It serves as the authoritative document for Service-level planning and provides a common direction to the Marine Corps Total Force. application/pdf Surprisingly there were some who had never met a Jewish person before. 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. Thats why we started the Times of Israel eleven years ago - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world. "He would be looking at his role as commandant as really making significant and historic changes to the Marine Corps," he added. He loved innovating always listened to what his Marines had to say -- especially his enlisted leaders. We normally keep our grandfathers WWII memorabilia all together a photo album, his glasses, his bronze star. Instead of fighting Al Qaeda, the Marines were confronting issues of inequality. 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's not a big loud guy -- he's somewhat reserved," she said. While serving as assistant division commander of 2nd Marine Division, Berger was appointed to the rank of brigadier general. He is a graduate of the United States Army Ranger School, United States Army Jumpmaster School, United States Navy Dive School, and United States Marine Corps Amphibious Reconnaissance School.[8][9]. 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. "He's seen American policy at the strategic level, he's been an operational commander clearly, and he's been well educated about strategy and military history, so he brings all those things to bear in this position as commandant," she said. If confirmed,. Structural racism and sexism exists within our current system, Berger falsely claimed and promised new diversity initiatives to promote more black personnel to higher ranks. He holds multiple advanced degrees including a Master of International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. one-third of one percent of the US military, Already a member? Its been through the requirements-based system, its been through the Joint Staff, through [the Office of the Secretary of Defense] and through Congress twice, so its not like the Pentagon or Congress were derelict in oversight. Mathew Meyer was also with Berger at 3/7. 0HRBIoI@d1{8(t`O+. rd-8!5F:}=ro98w8;8m4Z All rights reserved. I am willing to throw it all away to say to my senior leaders, I demand accountability.. In his current post at Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Berger has helped reform training to make sure Marines are ready for a near-peer fight. Instead of focusing on the fight ahead, Berger decided that what the Marine Corps needed was to get woke, to dismantle its warfighting readiness by purging political incorrectness, lowering standards for the sake of diversity, and imposing cancel culture for the slightest offenses. 2023-03-03T09:54:52-08:00 He was highly respected by all of us even though we were all lieutenants.". ].lONr1}\E5]}*MR+pJ,_1{)p+ BL%2qF\m?|)ftG?~%Moe~=' ,Q. I chose the Marines. Zeff wasnt officially a Marine then he was, in fact, several weeks shy of reporting to Parris Island, South Carolina, for boot camp. An official website of the United States Government, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. In the 30 years since leaving the Marine Corps, he still considers Berger a role model. 2023-03-03T09:54:52-08:00 He's also busy testifying on Capitol Hill this month, something he'll have to continue to do if approved to become commandant, pushing lawmakers to fund vital Marine Corps equipment and projects. Which Body Parts Correspond with the Areas of the Beit HaMikdash? Schellers treatment made it clear that Bergers call for diversity of thought was as hollow as his solicitation of honest and open critiques. 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. [16][17], In February 2022, Berger was the keynote speaker for the 67th MSC Student Conference on National Affairs at Texas A&M University.[18]. <> When paid Berger a visit when he was commanding I MEF, the general gave him a tour of Camp Pendleton to show off all the changes since the two served there. I knew Id regret it if I didnt do it now. He then deployed to Kosovo, where he served for one year as chief of staff for Kosovo Force (KFOR) Headquarters in Pristina. Break the Wave: 1 Terrorist Killed, 6 Wounded in Jenin Counter Terror Operation, New Rocket-Proof Dining Room in Sderot Yeshiva Honors Fallen IDF Soldiers, WATCH: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy Addresses Israels Knesset, Then Reporters, Memorial Day in Israel Returning Home [audio], New/Old World Order The Tamar Yonah Show [audio]. In July 2014, Berger was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general and assumed command of I Marine Expeditionary Force. In the classroom, Magsamen found Berger to be analytical, mild-mannered and eager to hear his classmates' perspectives. It was awesome. 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.. Even while a skeleton. [1] As a lieutenant and captain, he served as rifle platoon commander in India Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division and later as a company commander and battalion operations officer in 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion during Operation Desert Storm. Maj. view all P Featured Article . Each week, when recruits called out which service theyd attend, it never failed to surprise a fellow recruit to learn Zeff was Jewish. endobj After their bar mitzvah, the brothers left Hebrew school and Zeffs Judaism was more relegated to large family gatherings for the holidays, he said. "He has that professional, quiet confidence. 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. 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. So now we have a request. <>3]/P 6 0 R/Pg 189 0 R/S/Link>> Even while a skeleton force of hundreds of Marines remained in Kabul, Berger made no mention of them. 1 In this era of profound ideological division within our nation, some individual Marines regrettably bring with them, or fall victim to while in service, misogynistic, racist, and homophobic/ transphobic ideologies driven by hate, fear, and ignorance, he promised. Fixing the military's recruiting and retention problems will require a sober examination of root causes and innovative approaches. Their paths crossed again when Berger was at MARFORPAC, and Magsamen was an adviser to the defense secretary on security policy for Asia. Berger was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1981 via NROTC following graduation from Tulane University with a degree in engineering. 41 0 obj And yet the Commandant of the Marine Corps felt no need to even mention the wars of the cause they had sacrificed their lives for. (Courtesy), Private First Class Zachary Zeff at his graduation. We want them to actually think, not be programmed. Except that programming them was the entire point. Getting rid of hundreds of tanks and amphibious vehicles saved about $3 billion, all of which was pumped back into new precision missiles and upgrades for infantry units. A native of Woodbine, Maryland, General Berger graduated from Tulane University and was commissioned in 1981. When General David H. Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps, testified before the House Subcommittee on Defense at the end of April, he did not refer to Afghanistan. "I think this is a really important strategic inflection point for the Marine Corps as well.". 'Some Marines had never met a Jew before', Please use the following structure: example@domain.com, Send me The Times of Israel Daily Edition. 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. Please try again or choose an option below. They're a hoot," he said at his promotion ceremony. He commanded at every level including a Reconnaissance Company; 3d Battalion, 8th Marines in Haiti during Operation SECURE TOMORROW; Regimental Combat Team 8 in Fallujah, Iraq during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. 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