15th Annual Alvin H. Bernstein Lecture: David H. Berger

Description

Gen. David H. Berger, commandant of the Marine Corps, will give the 15th Annual Alvin H. Bernstein Lecture entitled "Making the Case for Change in the United States Marine Corps" for the School of Advanced International Studies' Philip Merrill Center for Strategic Studies.

A reception will follow. This event is on the record and open to the media.

General David H. Berger assumed the duties of commandant of the Marine Corps on July 11, 2019. A native of Woodbine, Maryland, Gen. Berger graduated from Tulane University and was commissioned in 1981. He commanded at every level – including a Reconnaissance Company; 3d Battalion, 8th Marines in Haiti during Operation Secure Tomorrow; and Regimental Combat Team 8 in Fallujah, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. As a general officer, he commanded 1st Marine Division (Forward) in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom; I Marine Expeditionary Force; U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific/Fleet Marine Forces Pacific; and Marine Corps Combat Development Command. Gen. Berger's staff and joint assignments include serving as assistant division commander of 2d Marine Division; policy planner in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate, J-5; chief of staff for Kosovo Force (KFOR) Headquarters in Pristina, Kosovo; director of operations in plans, policies, and operations, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps; and deputy commandant for combat development and integration. Gen. Berger's formal military education includes the U.S. Army Infantry Officer Advanced Course, U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and U.S. Marine Corps School of Advanced Warfighting. He holds multiple advanced degrees including a Master of International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

Alvin H. Bernstein, a distinguished ancient historian and lecturer at Johns Hopkins SAIS who served in positions of high responsibility in the Department of Defense, was an exceptional educator in the civilian academic world (Yale and Cornell) and in the U.S. government (the U.S. Naval War College, National Defense University, and the George C. Marshall Center for European Security Studies). In keeping with his example and his interests, the Alvin H. Bernstein Annual Lecture has as its organizing theme the intersection of history and national security policy.