§8044 Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps

Summary

The President, with Senate approval, picks an Assistant Commandant from active-duty Marines who can do the job. While serving, that officer holds the rank of general but keeps their permanent rank. The Commandant, with the Secretary of the Navy’s approval, gives the Assistant Commandant duties and authority. Orders the Assistant issues for those duties have the same effect as orders from the Commandant. If the Commandant’s office is empty or the Commandant is absent or disabled, the Assistant Commandant performs the Commandant’s duties until a successor is appointed or the absence ends. If the Assistant Commandant is also unavailable, then, unless the President says otherwise, the most senior Marine at Headquarters who is present and able performs those duties.