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More than 35 years since his career in the U.S. Marine Corps began, Lt. Gen. Michael Langley could reach one of the highest ranks of the military.

Langley faces a confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday. 

Langley will become the first Black four-star general in the Marines' 246-year history. He will lead all U.S. military forces in Africa as chief of U.S. Africa Command.

 the son of a former, noncommissioned officer in the Air Force

 included Afghanistan during the war and various posts in Asia and Europe.

He assumed command of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa last year, "after his predecessor was removed amid allegations of using a racial slur for African Americans in front of troops," 

He also holds multiple advanced degrees, including masters in National Security Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

As of last year, Langley was one of only six Black generals in the Marines, Stars and Stripes reported. 

Diversity in the military has been a long-standing issue, and one some leaders have been attempting to address in recent years. 

As a service member reaches the higher ranks in the military like, generals in the Air Force, Army and Marine Corps, and admirals in the Coast Guard and Navy, leaders are more than 80 percent white, 

according to research by the Council on Foreign Relations.

James Stavridis, a retired Navy admiral and former NATO supreme allied commander, 

 that racism has been an issue in the military for some time. 

Stavridis said the military must do better work in representing Black, Latino, and Asian members in the higher ranks.

"The way to do that is to get them into the mid-career jobs that lead to those flag ranks," Stavridis said. "That has to happen as a result of mentorship, just as it does in the civilian world, just as it does in the academic setting."

"Ninety-nine percent of my experiences coming up through the ranks have been positive ones that can be characterized as opportunities to excel, to gain success," Langley told Stars and Stripes in a profile last year. "As far as adversity, it came in moments. They were always learning experiences to me. But they were few and far between."  

Politics and Government News

Jaclyn Diaz

Author

Lt. Gen. Michael Langley's nomination hearing to be general and commander of the United States Africa Command for the U.S. Marine Corps is set for Thursday.

The Marines are set to have the first Black 4-star general in their 246-year history

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