III MEF commander nominated for Washington post after less than a year in Japan

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — The III Marine Expeditionary Force’s commander will likely soon depart Okinawa after an short tenure marked by loosened liberty restrictions and an apparent slaying-suicide perpetrated by a servicemember.

Lt. Gen. Eric Smith was nominated by President Donald Trump last week to serve as deputy commandant for combat development and integration, as well as command general for Marine Corps Combat Development Command at Marine Corps headquarters in Washington, D.C., according to a Defense Department statement released last week. The announcement was made by acting Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan.

Smith’s replacement will be the current military deputy to the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, Lt. Gen. H. Stacy Clardy III, a subsequent statement said.

Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/1.577255