We normally keep our grandfathers WWII memorabilia all together a photo album, his glasses, his bronze star. Freedom comes at a cost, Bergers statement read after the deaths of those Marines at Kabul airport. At 23, Zeff is slightly older than the average recruit. When I was younger maybe [I liked them] because of their uniforms, but later it was the professionalism I saw in them and the idea that they were the toughest, Zeff said via telephone from his home in South Florida. Zeff wasnt officially a Marine then he was, in fact, several weeks shy of reporting to Parris Island, South Carolina, for boot camp. 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. application/pdf 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. 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. Each week, when recruits called out which service theyd attend, it never failed to surprise a fellow recruit to learn Zeff was Jewish. 34 0 obj A large segment of Israeli society experiences the countrys 75th anniversary with a sense of anxiety. There is more, much more. United States Marine Corps. While Berger was ordering officers to listen to false accusations of racism, he refused to listen to the much more substantive criticisms of Marine Corps dysfunction, gender and racial ideology, and the disastrous policies that led to the deaths of 11 Marines in Kabul. Its no surprise that the Corps in particular, with its mystique of grit and self-reliance, would struggle with such rapid, deep-rooted changes. An Orthodox publisher speaks to gay teens, LGBTQ youth need much more support than Korens new Leviticus commentary offers, but its careful effort is a major improvement, Come meet the Israel I know, where I live and love what I see and hear and taste and smell and feel. 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. Sign in to stop seeing this, Now worlds no. Berger seemed most at home when the Marines were in the field. The highest echelon of Marine Corps leadership from the Civilian, Enlisted and Officer Corps, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. He holds multiple advanced degrees including a Master of International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. Changes to the Marine Corps spearheaded by Commandant Gen. David Berger represent a fundamental shift in how the Corps equips its troops and goes to war. 203 0 obj 2023-03-03T09:54:52-08:00 Berger has been a Marine officer for 38 years. Gen Berger made it clear at the annual meeting of the MCA in September that he is a strong proponent of discussion and debate and . It takes to heart the 2018 National Defense Strategy, which said the armed forces need to train and equip to meet the China challenge. She said she was excited to see him nominated to become the Marine Corps' next top officer. Even though that actually is structural racism. Currently the head of Marine Corps Combat Development Command in Quantico, Virginia, the career infantry officer has led Marines in Desert Storm; in Fallujah, Iraq; Helmand province in Afghanistan; and across the Pacific. Berger has been a Marine officer for 38 years. Much like on campus, being accused of unintentional offense was a hanging crime. In July, Berger appearedto leap to the defenseof the Navys decision to promoteIbram X. Kendisracist tract,How To Be An Anti-Racist. endobj <>16]/P 26 0 R/Pg 189 0 R/S/Link>> . 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. His sister Rebecca Zeff couldnt make it, but watched live stream videos from Israel. In 2012 he deployed to Afghanistan as the commanding general of 1st Marine Division (forward) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Why are you doing this before you have a full understanding of what you want to do? Van Riper told POLITICO. 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. It was exciting and I felt so proud, Zeff said. [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: <>37 0 R]/P 22 0 R/S/Link>> Fixing the military's recruiting and retention problems will require a sober examination of root causes and innovative approaches. That same month, Bagram Air Base was abandoned, cutting off the only secure escape route for Americans from Afghanistan, while liberating thousands of Taliban, Al Qaeda, and ISIS-K terrorists, including the Jihadi who would go on to kill 13 Americans at Kabul airport. This article incorporates public domain material from .mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:#d33}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:#d33}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#3a3;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}Lieutenant General David H. Berger Biography. Rebecca said she made her younger brother promise hed attend services on Sundays, the only day available for worship, during boot camp. General David H. Berger assumed the duties of Commandant of the Marine Corps on July 11, 2019. We want our service members to read widely. Printed from: https://www.jewishpress.com/indepth/columns/daniel-greenfield/fire-marine-corps-commandant-david-berger/2021/10/17/. <>2]/P 6 0 R/Pg 189 0 R/S/Link>> Daily Briefing Apr. I am willing to throw it all away to say to my senior leaders, I demand accountability.. Mathew Meyer was also with Berger at 3/7. 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. A native of Woodbine, Maryland, General Berger graduated from Tulane University and was commissioned in 1981. No matter what challenge they faced, Meyer said Berger was always collected and professional. I want to focus on two ideas in particular that emerged out of all his boundary-crossing. "A role model -- that's what I remember. Whenever anybody was crying and whining, I just embraced it, Zeff said. All Rights Reserved. Craparotta", "I Marine Expeditionary Force Leaders: Lieutenant General David H. Berger", "Woodbine, Md. The 59-year-old earned his commission in 1981 after graduating from Tulane University in New Orleans, where he studied engineering. Those arguments, some say, fail to take into account the changes in the technologies that China and Russia can bring to the modern battlefield, even if Russia is struggling to use them in Ukraine. Lt. Gen. David Berger, a three-star Marine Corps general, has been nominated to serve as the next commandant of the Marine Corps. It serves as the authoritative document for Service-level planning and provides a common direction to the Marine Corps Total Force. Surprisingly there were some who had never met a Jewish person before. @G4Uf9N`oj0b0ekT.[,Mln-CWBO}Z/8y27?btWN&bIthPLh/ 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. 3 0 obj 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. uuid:f0bfbba7-b66b-11b2-0a00-6064d387fe7f 2023-03-03T09:54:52-08:00 [4], Berger is a native of Woodbine, Maryland. 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. 28 0 obj <>/Metadata 2 0 R/Outlines 5 0 R/Pages 3 0 R/StructTreeRoot 6 0 R/Type/Catalog/ViewerPreferences<>>> <> In the 30 years since leaving the Marine Corps, he still considers Berger a role model. His work covers American, European and Israeli politics as well as the War on Terror. A couple thoughts. Its been welcomed by defense contractors and lobbyists as well, because money is still flowing on a variety of new projects. 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. GEN. BERGER: Great question. endobj endobj "I think the last thing on his mind is the notoriety or fame that might come with being commandant. "I think that will be extremely valuable to the Marine Corps. A native of Woodbine, Maryland, General Berger graduated from Tulane University and was commissioned in 1981. 17 0 obj <>131 0 R]/P 203 0 R/Pg 199 0 R/S/Link>> 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. Follow her on Twitter @ginaaharkins. At stake is arguably the most ambitious modernization effort of any of the armed services. 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. 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. <>1]/P 16 0 R/Pg 189 0 R/S/Link>> 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. [5] He graduated from Glenelg High School in 1977. A native of Woodbine, Maryland, General Berger graduated from Tulane University and was commissioned in 1981. 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. As you are aware, we cannot create new senior leaders in a day. Berger holds a BSc in Engineering from Tulane University, and two Master's degrees in International Public Policy and Military Studies. Zeffs attitude has paid off. 0HRBIoI@d1{8(t`O+. rd-8!5F:}=ro98w8;8m4Z But the honest and open critique had already been launched by Lt. The Marines have already mothballed hundreds of Abrams tanks, warehoused several helicopter squadrons, and are rapidly swapping cannons for rocket artillery. This article may not be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. So now we have a request. Berger relinquishes command to Lt.Gen. But in a woke military leadership where campus cancel culture trumps honor and tradition that didnt save him. 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. New warship to be named after pivotal Battles of Fallujah . He kept his word. 14 0 obj A Marine. endobj What Berger was most proud of, Meyer said, was that the MEF had been able to upgrade the bachelor enlisted quarters. -- Gina Harkins can be reached at gina.harkins@military.com. "He has that professional, quiet confidence. The roster of personalities includes every living former commandant, along with a slew of other retired four-star generals revered within the Corps. Need to Renew Your Israeli Passport? 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. After making colonel, Berger led Regimental Combat Team 8 in Fallujah, Iraq, earning the Legion of Merit with Combat "V" device for exceptional leadership on that deployment. He has commanded Marines in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring. One of the groups more vocal forward-facing members, Vietnam vet Bing West, wrote in a recent article that urban battles taking place in Ukraine, and similar fights in Vietnam like Hue City and Fallujah in Iraq prove the need for tanks and heavy armor in modern combat. 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. "The Commandants Planning Guidance (CPG) provides the 38th Commandants strategic direction for the Marine Corps and mirrors the function of the Secretary of Defenses Defense Planning Guidance (DPG). %PDF-1.7 % AppendPDF Pro 6.3 Linux 64 bit Aug 30 2019 Library 15.0.4 "You don't need a Marine Corps, unless it can give you something that no one else can," Berger said at the time, according to a Marine Corps news release. Zeff isnt the first in his family to serve. endobj [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]. 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. endobj In a change of command ceremony held on Friday, Sept. 24, at Camp Pendleton, Gen. David Berger, the Marines' commandant, credited Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl for achieving a "monumental task These new cancel culture values borrowed from college campus safe spaces were all about punishing political dissent and had nothing to do with the task of actually winning battles. He holds multiple advanced degrees including a Master of International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. After the horror, he claimed that he wanted an honest, open critique of what happened in Afghanistan. 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. 186 0 obj Youre only allowed to read this, and youre only allowed to espouse that, Berger dishonestly argued. 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]. The only man to go on trial has been a persistent critic of the Marine Corps leadership. 1 0 obj "I really think he is the right person at the right time to really have an impact," Meyer said. Incorrect password. His grandfather, Paul T. Zeff, was an Army combat medic during World War II, and his uncle served in the Air Force. Most of them were curious about it, and had a lot of questions, he said. 1 Introduction Chairwoman McCollum, Ranking Member Calvert, and distinguished members of the subcommittee, <> 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. At the forefront of that, she added, will be challenges with China. He did not mention Afghanistan, Iran, or Al Qaeda. As a field grade officer, Berger was an instructor at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) in Yuma, Arizona; instructor at III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Special Operations Training Group; and served on the Joint Staff as a policy planner in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, J-5. But in the runup to the disastrous retreat from Afghanistan, the only things the Marine Corps really cared about were wokeness and race. "What's really interesting is I look at what Lt. Berger was in the early '80s and what he is now, and he has the same demeanor," he said. Registering also lets you comment on articles and helps us improve your experience. What does it say about Berger that a slur is worse than the deaths of 11 American heroes? A warrior scholar is a good way to describe him.". 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. His writing can be found at http://sultanknish.blogspot.com/ "Dave is one the best leaders I've ever met, in the military or corporate world," he said. 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. { bR.bK:'\>?o.-Lt\LV|{1zFyE)-|N5g>#+p(end:b=X3 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. "I never saw him the least bit intimidated by rank, attitude or ego -- something very uncommon among junior officers.". 4r|!-`rOWKBLA x+ {@jp2. C#=QjH:O8U 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. x]moH AZd3cA-dz^jREKq,/bUw? Members meet virtually or in-person on a daily basis to plan their way forward and are stepping up their outreach to members of Congress. The document envisages a shifting of the Marine Corps from a "Second Land Army" force to a "commando-like infantry force with nimbler weapons: drone squadrons will double and rocket batteries will triple.". view all 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. That kind of leadership is not surprising to DeBoda. 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. I chose the Marines. 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. In late March, Berger was nominated to pin on a fourth star and serve as the 38th commandant of the Marine Corps. 2 0 obj Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David H. Berger delivers remarks at a press briefing about the Marine Corps and COVID-19, at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., March 26, 2020. He was highly respected by all of us even though we were all lieutenants.". 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. When General David H. Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps,testifiedbefore the House Subcommittee on Defense at the end of April, he did not refer to Afghanistan. For some new officers, it takes time to grow into their leadership role, Meyer said. Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevidiscuss. 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"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. When asked directly about the Marine Corps plans, the head of European Command, Gen. Tod Wolters, told the House Armed Services Committee Wednesday that the revamped Corps dramatically enhance our options a brown-water force that can shoot, move and communicate and is very expeditionary is priceless for 21st century security., The Marines are working through some of their new concepts during the Cold Response war games taking place in Norway, Wolters said, adding, the Marines are doing a fantastic job of leading from the front and showing the rest of us how to do it right., Backers of the changes note that they didnt originate with Berger. An official website of the United States Government, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. 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. Kelley passed away Dec. 29, 2019, in McLean, Virginia.General David H. That has carried forward throughout Berger's career. Firing Berger would be the first step to rebuilding a Marine Corps that wins battles instead of building woke safe spaces. His grandfather died when Zeff was 10, before Zeff had a chance to really speak with him about his wartime experience. If something went wrong, it was reassuring to see Berger at the battalion command post, DeBoda added. But some experts agree with Bergers planned changes as the way to evolve the Marine Corps into a force that can compete with China. ON THE POSTURE OF THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS . Will history repeat after PM gets McCarthy invite to DC? 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. After high school he attended college for two years while Nathan pursued firefighting and Stephen began working in network engineering. Over 80,000 Jews are estimated to have served in the US Armed Forces since 9/11. The day before Bergers call for an honest and open critique, he showed what would happen to any officer who dared to offer honest and open critiques. 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Webb, in his Wall Street Journal op-ed, first disclosed the existence of the group. 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. In June 2017, his predecessor, Gen. Robert Neller, told Congress that the Marine Corps is not currently organized, trained and equipped to face a peer adversary in the year 2025., Neller pointed to the use of electronic warfare, precision weapons, and cyberattacks that would confront Marines on future battlefields against China and Russia, adding, Im worried that were going too slow and that were afraid of change.. 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. 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. Instead of fighting Al Qaeda, the Marines were confronting issues of inequality. GENERAL DAVID H. BERGER . (Courtesy), Zachary and sister Rebecca Zeff. Instead he had repeated the slur only to complain about the inappropriateness of playing music containing the slur at a Marine Corps training event. If we are to correct our gap in diversity at the senior ranks, we must also address diversity at accessions. We all have unconscious biases, admitted or not, Berger told ABCs Martha Raddatz, parroting the corrosive racial psychoanalysis of critical race theory that says all white people are guilty.
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