U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Jay Bargeron, incoming commanding general of 3d Marine Division, speaks during a change of command ceremony on Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 8, 2021. The ceremony represented the transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability from Maj. Gen. James Bierman to Maj. Gen. Jay Bargeron. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ujian Gosun) ()
OKINAWA, Japan – Command of 3d Marine Division transferred from Maj. Gen. James Bierman to Maj. Gen. Jay Bargeron Nov. 8, 2021 at Camp Courtney, Okinawa, Japan.
After leading 3d Marine Division since August 2020, Bierman will assume command of III Marine Expeditionary Force Nov. 9, 2021.
Reflecting on his time as the commanding general, Bierman shared a message: “Thank you to all the Marines, Sailors, civilians and families who have ensured 3d Marine Division remains ready to meet its critical operational responsibilities. Each of you has played a critical role as we have trained hard to ensure our readiness to fight now, deepened integration with our allies and partners, validated new warfighting concepts, and leaned into Force Design efforts.”
Bierman led the Division in strengthening naval and joint integration and lethality in a distributed maritime environment through numerous joint, bilateral, and combined exercises and operations.
Maj. Gen. Bargeron assumes command of 3d Marine Division after serving as Commanding General, Education Command and President, Marine Corps University in Quantico, Va.
“It’s a great privilege to follow Major General Bierman as the Commanding General of 3d Marine Division,” said Bargeron. “Under his leadership, the Division has not only continued its legacy of combat readiness, but has also lead the way in our service-wide Force Design efforts – really extraordinary accomplishments. I am humbled to join such a great team of professionals.”
3d Marine Division operates as a stand-in force in the first island chain to secure, seize, or defend key maritime terrain in order to deny and disrupt adversary actions in support of the fleet, joint force, and partnered and allied forces.
Photos, videos, and news stories about 3d Marine Division are available here.
