HOMELAND SECURITY POLICY INSTITUTE GROUP

Gates Recommends Amos for Top Marine Post
From a Defense Department News Release

WASHINGTON, June 22, 2010 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has recommended to President Barack Obama that he nominate Gen. James F. Amos, a career aviator, to serve as the next commandant of the Marine Corps, Pentagon officials announced yesterday.

If he's nominated and confirmed, Amos -- now the service's assistant commandant -- would be the first aviator to lead the Marine Corps. He would succeed Gen. James T. Conway, who is retiring in the fall after four decades of continuous service.

Amos commanded a Marine aircraft wing and a Marine expeditionary force during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He went on to lead the Marines' Combat Development Command and served as deputy commandant for combat development and integration before assuming his current post in July 2008.

Gates also has recommended that Lt. Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. be promoted to replace Amos as assistant commandant. Dunford commands the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Central Command, with responsibility for all Marines serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"I came to these leadership decisions after a thorough process that considered several outstanding candidates," Gates said in a statement. "I am convinced that General Amos and Lieutenant General Dunford are the right team to lead the U.S. Marine Corps at this time, especially as it balances the capabilities needed to support current operations, its unique maritime heritage and its future role defending America."