It’s Time!
The case for a Marine aviator as the next
Commandant of the Marine Corps
by LtCol A.C. “Che” Bolden
he Marine Corps is fully en-
Tgaged in two conflicts. At the
same time it is, as it always
has been, on the cutting-edge
of doctrine and equipment development. As our Nation’s force-in-readi-ness, we are the unrivaled masters of a
combined arms concept that delivers
effective and tailored responses to a
broad spectrum of global challenges.
The successful application of force
against these challenges and, indeed,
our unparalleled triumphs as a Service
have been undeniably tied to our
legacy of flexible and adaptive leadership.
Our Commandant, traditionally an
infantry officer, is the embodiment of
that leadership. But the milieu of command has changed, and now is the
time to draw from that legacy of flexible and adaptive leadership. In fact, it is
time to alter the notion that the Commandant must come from the ranks of
the infantry.
The Commandant of the Marine
Corps, as the senior ranking Marine, is
ultimately responsible for the health of
our Corps.
The Commandant is directly responsible to the Secretary of the Navy for
the total performance of the Marine
Corps. This includes the administration, discipline, internal organization,
training, requirements, efficiency, and
readiness of the service. The Commandant also is responsible for the operation of the Marine Corps material
support system.
1
>LtCol Bolden is a joint qualified MAGTF officer with two operational tours with
Marine fighter-attack squadrons and one with 1st Force Reconnaissance Company as the air officer and operations officer.
Recent changes in attitudes and perceptions have seen a shift in the demographic of the senior leadership of the
Corps. Marine Corps aviation, as a
prominent player in this demographic
shift, has been key to the recent successes we have enjoyed. As a corner-
Then-Col Roy Geiger, CO, Aircraft One, Fleet Marine Force, Marine Corps Air Station Quantico,
1936. (From the cover, Unaccustomed to Fear by Col Roger Wilcock, USMCR, privately published in Princeton, NJ, 1968.)
