MACDILL AFB, Fla. - Marine Corps Forces Central Command became a standalone command after a brief ceremony on MacDill Sept. 17, 2012, and will now be led by a three-star general.
Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Robert Neller will lead the Marines assigned to the headquarters on MacDill supporting operations in the Middle East.
Neller previously served as the Director for Operations, J3, The Joint- Staff, Washington, D.C..
“This is important for the Marine Corps and for CENTCOM,” Neller
explained in reference to how the creation of a standalone command benefits a leader - enabling one to provide their undivided attention to the mission.
“Up until now, there has been one officer who had two hats. By virtue of having two different jobs - you end up having to split yourself. You can’t be entirely focused on one assignment,” said Neller.
Marine Corps Gen. James Mattis, CENTCOM commander, was in attendance and also expressed the importance of the command.
In the wake of recent events and the attacks in the Middle East the importance and reasoning for establishment is apparent, Mattis explained.
Mattis finished with some encouragement by referring to the Marine
Corps ethos over a decade ago during some turbulent times.
“The maniacs who attacked us on 9/11 thought that by hurting us,
they could scare us. We don’t scare.”
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