Michael Langley: US Senate expected to confirm Marines’ first Black four-star general in 246 years

The Senate Armed Products and services Committee on Thursday held a confirmation listening to for Langley, who’s nominated to be the Commander of US Africa Command, which oversees the nation’s military existence in Africa. If the Senate confirms him, he will be the Marines’ first Black four-star typical. In the Marines’ 246-yr heritage, 73 White guys have arrived at the four-star rating.

“It is a good honor to be the President’s nominee to guide US AFRICOM,” Langley stated at Thursday’s confirmation hearing. “I am grateful to the believe in and self esteem extended by him.”

Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Langley graduated from the College of Texas at Arlington and has been in provider with the Marine Corps since 1985. The son of a US Air force veteran who served for 25 years, Langley has commanded at just about every degree and served in many continents, staying deployed to countries like Japan and Afghanistan in excess of the course of his job.

Langley has numerous sophisticated levels, which includes a Masters in Nationwide Security Strategic Reports from the US Naval War School as nicely as a Masters in Strategic Reports from the US Military War Faculty.

Final 12 months, Stars and Stripes noted that Langley was just one of only six Black generals in the Marines.
Black provider users have engaged in each and every American conflict dating back again to the American Revolution in the 18th century, with each individual branch obtaining different procedures bordering racial segregation until President Harry Truman officially desegregated the armed forces in 1948.
In link with prolonged-standing racial disparities and diversity challenges in the navy, some armed service officials have sought to deal with racial bias in the course of the armed forces.
A 2020 CNN evaluate of facts offered by the Pentagon and Division of Veterans Affairs disclosed the stark actuality that Black services associates are fewer probably to grow to be officers and, as a consequence, are extra possible to be significantly hurt in the course of services relative to their White colleagues.

In his opening statements, Langley spoke to the demanding international protection atmosphere and the systemic outcomes of latest world wide tensions in Africa as very well as troubles especially going through the continent. He reported he hopes the command continues to handle troubles of strategic opposition and extremism in Africa even though integrating diplomatic efforts.

“I am enthusiastic to engage throughout the entire federal government to faithfully execute the insurance policies and orders of the President and the Secretary of Protection,” Langley mentioned in the conclusion of his opening statements during the hearing.