Conway assumes command as commandant

[Vulture6]

Conway assumes command as commandant
Nov. 13, 2006
By Sgt. Clinton Firstbrook, Headquarters Marine Corps



MARINE BARRACKS WASHINGTON (Nov. 13, 2006) -- With the passing of the Marine Corps Battle Colors aboard Marine Barracks Washington Nov. 13, Gen. James T. Conway became the 34th Commandant of the Marine Corps.

After serving fours years as commandant, Gen. Michael W. Hagee relinquished his command and left Conway with a few words.

“Throughout all postings and assignments I have had, the one thing I am most proud of is since 1968 I have been called a Marine,” said Hagee, a Brooklyn, New York native. "Jim, Annette, we wish you the best. It’s going to go by in a heartbeat.”

During the passage of command ceremony, Conway, who was commissioned in 1970 as an infantry officer, touched on the large shoes left to fill now that his predecessor has retired.

“One of the toughest jobs as commandant has to be when you’re presenting to those hundreds and thousands of Marines,” said Conway, a Walnut Ridge, Ark., native. “You can’t be thinking about the next event or be unprepared. You’ve got to be the commandant that they want and expect to see. Gen. Hagee, you have been that man sir, so let me tell you categorically that you and Silke have represented our Corps magnificently.”

Conway also spoke on the esprit de corps inherent in all service members who are answering the nation’s call today.

“You represent an entire young generation of soldiers, sailors, airmen and other Marines who have stepped forward when your country needed you most,” said Conway. “The raw courage, the selflessness, the teamwork which is demonstrated by this generation is absolutely unbelievable. Ladies and gentlemen, I would suggest to you that our services, our Corps and our nation is in great shape for a long time to come.”

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld announced the President had selected Conway to the grade of general and for appointment as commandant June 13. The Senate confirmed Conway’s nomination Aug. 5. Prior to his nomination, Conway served as the director of operations on the Joint Staff.

[Grimmy]

Anyone have any insight on what to expect under General Conway?

[USMC Chuter]

I don't know what to expect from him as Commandant, but here's his bio.. Pretty solid credentials, needless to say.

Lieutenant General James T. Conway currently serves as the Director of Operations, J-3, on the Joint Staff, Washington DC.

Lieutenant General Conway was born in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas and is a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University. He was commissioned in 1970 as an infantry officer. His company grade assignment included multiple platoon and company commander billets with both the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions; Executive Officer of the Marine Detachment aboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63); series and company commander at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego; aide to the Commanding General, and Director, Sea School.

As a field grade officer he commanded two companies of officer students and taught tactics at The Basic School; he also served as operations officer for the 36th MAU to include contingency operations off Beirut, Lebanon; and as Senior Aide to the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, he was reassigned to the 2d Marine Division as Division G-3 Operations Officer before assuming command of 3d Battalion, 2d Marines in January 1990. He commanded Battalion Landing Team 3/2 during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Selected for colonel, he served as the Ground Colonels' Monitor, and as Commanding Officer of The Basic School. His general officer duties included Deputy Director of Operations J-3 for Combating Terrorism on the Joint Staff, Washington, DC; and President, Marine Corps University at Quantico, VA. After promotion to Major General, he assumed command of the 1st Marine Division. In November of 2002 Lieutenant General Conway was promoted to his current rank and assumed command of the I Marine Expeditionary Force. He commanded I MEF during two combat tours in Iraq.

[Grimmy]

I just remember the Corps under PX Kelly. I understand he might have done alot for the Corps by wrangling with Congress for the dollars to rebuild and such, but as a Commandant, the stuff that would come down out of his office, and his general appearance when he would visit, sure as hell made it hard to respect the man.

[SGRock]

No Kidding!!!
I sure was glad when Al Gray took over. Kelly had us put our rank insignia on our covers, his last year as Commandant. The first thing Al did when he became commandant was to send out a White Letter passing the word to take that crap off. Al Gray was, and still is a Marine's Marine. We would be in the field doing a Mortar shoot when he was CG of 2nd Mar Div. He would come out there and jump down in the pit, while we were firing. Mind you this is in february in the rain.
He got stuff done and pushed through congress for "US". No more would we use 40 year old jeeps, fire 20 year old M-16's or eat "C-Rations" (MRE's weren't much better). He set the example for the commandants that followed to live up to.

[SpongeJuan]

That's a good General right there. Jumping in holes with the troops and shooting some rounds off with them is a good way to show the troops he cares about them. I am sure the Marine Corps will have more leaders like him in the future.

[USMC Chuter]

General Gray was before my time by a couple of years, but I agree that his legacy was that of a Marine's Marine. He did a lot of positive things for our Corps. We've had some good Commandants since him, and I'm anxious to see how Gen. Conway does in the way of filling some big shoes.