Ronald Bailey (soldier)

Lieutenant General Ronald L. Bailey was the first African American to take command of the 1st Marine Division of the United States Marine Corps on Thursday, June 30, 2011.

Education

He graduated from Austin Peay State University in Tennessee in 1977 and was commissioned a Marine second lieutenant that same year. He is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He served as an infantry officer.

When appointed to the Marine Corps Recruiting Command, Bailey said "...leadership is about influence and relationships – relationships with the American people. Our nation’s citizens expect us to be America’s expeditionary force in readiness committed to their protection at home and abroad; we will honor that expectation with the professional and empathetic execution of our mission within their communities nationwide."

Career

His military appointments were published by Camp Pendleton Patch and by the Los Angeles Times on July 1, 2011. Bailey was appointed in January to head the Marine Corps Recruiting Command, where he will command more than 22,000 troops. He also served as commanding general of the San Diego Western Recruiting Region and Marine Corps Recruit Depot, according to a Marine Corps Base press release at the time.

In June 2013, Lieutenant General Bailey was promoted to his current rank and assigned to Headquarters Marine Corps as the Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations.