§8043 Commandant of the Marine Corps

Summary

The President appoints the Commandant of the Marine Corps, with the Senate’s approval, for a four-year term. The Commandant comes from the Marine Corps’ general officers and serves at the President’s pleasure. In war or a national emergency declared by Congress, the Commandant can be reappointed for up to another four years. The President may only pick an officer who has had significant joint duty experience, including at least one full tour as a general in a joint duty assignment (see section 664(f)), but the President can waive that if it’s needed for the national interest. While serving, the Commandant holds the rank of general without giving up his permanent grade. Unless other law says otherwise and under section 8013(f), he works under and reports directly to the Secretary of the Navy. Under the Secretary, he leads Headquarters, Marine Corps; sends its plans and advice to the Secretary and carries out approved plans as the Secretary’s agent; supervises Marine Corps and Navy people and units the Secretary assigns (consistent with combatant commanders’ authority); performs duties required by law (including sections 171 and 3104); and carries out other military duties assigned by the President, the Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary of the Navy. He also serves on the Joint Chiefs of Staff (see section 151), tells the Secretary about Joint Chiefs advice when that does not hurt his independence, and, under the Secretary of Defense’s authority, keeps the Secretary of the Navy fully informed of major military operations that affect the Secretary’s duties.