User:Mtnldrinst/Lieutenant General Robert R. Blackman

Lieutenant General Robert R. Blackman new article content ... new

Lieutenant General Robert R. Blackman, United States Marine Corps, has commanded U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command; U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe; U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South; U.S. Marine Corps Bases, Atlantic; U.S. Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic; and U.S. Fleet Marine Force, Europe, until his retirement in 2007.

Biography
Lieutenant General Blackman was commissioned upon graduation from Cornell University in June 1970.

After completing The Basic School, he served as a platoon commander and company executive officer in 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. In March 1972, he reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, where he served as a series commander and Director of the Sea School until July 1975.

Following Amphibious Warfare School, Lieutenant General Blackman served as S-3A and a rifle company commander in 3d Battalion, 1st Marines. Assigned to the 3d Marine Division in January 1980, he served as the S-3 for 2d Battalion, 4th Marines. Upon return to the U.S., he served as the Plans Officer in the Officer Assignment Branch at Headquarters Marine Corps. After graduation from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in June 1985, he was assigned to the Air-Ground Exchange Program with MAG-26 where he served as the S-3A and S-3.

Lieutenant General Blackman reported to the 2d Marine Division in June 1987, and was assigned as the Executive Officer of the 8th Marines. In May 1988, he assumed command of 3d Battalion, 8th Marines. Following the return of BLT 3/8 from a Mediterranean deployment with the 22nd MEU, he was assigned to Top Level School as a Fellow in National Security Affairs at the Kennedy School of Government. In August 1990, Lieutenant General Blackman was assigned to the Operations Division at Headquarters Marine Corps. From there he was assigned as the G-3 Operations Officer for COMMARCENT (Forward) in Southwest Asia. Upon return to CONUS in March 1991, he was reassigned as Head, Current Operations Branch, Headquarters Marine Corps.

In July 1991, Lieutenant General Blackman reported to U.S. Central Command for duty as the Commander in Chief's Executive Officer. In August 1993, he assumed command of the 15th MEU. Upon completion of his tour with the MEU, in March 1995, he assumed duties as the Military Assistant to the Secretary of the Navy. In August 1996, he was assigned as the President of the Marine Corps University. He was promoted to brigadier general on October 1, 1996.

In July 1998, he was assigned as the Assistant Division Commander, 2d Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He commanded the 2nd Marine Division from June 1999 to July 2001. Upon arrival at USCENTCOM in August of 2001, he assumed duties as Director, Resources and Assessment, J8, United States Central Command MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

In October 2002, Lieutenant General Blackman was assigned as the Chief of Staff for Coalition Forces Land Component Command during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM.

He is currently married to ???? Blackman.