General Robert B. Neller served as the 37th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps from September 2015 to July 2019. He retired from active duty 1 September 2019.
A native of East Lansing, Michigan, Neller graduated from the University of Virginia in 1975 with a degree in history and speech communication. He later earned a master’s degree from Pepperdine University in Human Resources Management. After graduating from Virginia, Neller went directly into the Marine Corps via the Platoon Leader Class.
A career Infantry Officer, Neller has commanded from Platoon through Service Component HQs. He has been assigned as a General Officer in each of the 3 USMC active infantry Divisions and commanded the 3rd Marine Division. He is a joint qualified Officer having served in Europe at SHAPE as a NATO staff officer and as the J3 of the Joint Staff.
Operationally, he participated in Operation Just Cause in Panama, Operation Restore Hope in Somalia and Operation Iraqi Freedom. In OIF 05-07 during 2006, he served as the Deputy Commanding General for Multi-National Force West in Iraq’s Anbar Province.
He has attended the USMC’s Basic School, the Army’s Armor Officer Advanced Course, USMC Command and Staff, the NATO Defense College and the Armed Forces Staff College and various other courses and training.
Upon retirement he moved to the Austin, TX area where he is affiliated with the University of Texas as adjunct faculty and continues to transition and adjust to playing the “second half of the game.”