CNN
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After greater than 35 years within the US Marine Corps., Lt. Gen. Michael Langley is about to be the primary Black normal to attain one of many department’s highest rankings.
The Senate Armed Providers Committee on Thursday held a affirmation listening to for Langley, who’s nominated to be the Commander of US Africa Command, which oversees the nation’s army presence in Africa. If the Senate confirms him, he would be the Marines’ first Black four-star normal. Within the Marines’ 246-year historical past, 73 White males have reached the four-star rating.
“It’s a nice honor to be the President’s nominee to guide US AFRICOM,” Langley mentioned at Thursday’s affirmation listening to. “I’m grateful to the belief and confidence prolonged by him.”
Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Langley graduated from the College of Texas at Arlington and has been in service with the Marine Corps since 1985. The son of a US Air power veteran who served for 25 years, Langley has commanded at each degree and served in a number of continents, being deployed to nations like Japan and Afghanistan over the course of his profession.
Langley has a number of superior levels, together with a Masters in Nationwide Safety Strategic Research from the US Naval Warfare Faculty in addition to a Masters in Strategic Research from the US Military Warfare Faculty.
Final yr, Stars and Stripes reported that Langley was one among solely six Black generals within the Marines.
Black service members have engaged in each American battle relationship again to the American Revolution within the 18th century, with every department having completely different insurance policies surrounding racial segregation till President Harry Truman formally desegregated the army in 1948.
In reference to long-standing racial disparities and variety points within the army, some army officers have sought to handle racial bias all through the armed forces.
A 2020 CNN overview of knowledge supplied by the Pentagon and Division of Veterans Affairs revealed the stark actuality that Black service members are much less more likely to turn out to be officers and, in consequence, usually tend to be significantly injured throughout service relative to their White colleagues.
In his opening statements, Langley spoke to the difficult worldwide safety setting and the systemic results of present world tensions in Africa in addition to challenges particularly dealing with the continent. He mentioned he hopes the command continues to handle problems with strategic competitors and extremism in Africa whereas integrating diplomatic efforts.
“I’m enthusiastic to interact throughout the entire authorities to faithfully execute the insurance policies and orders of the President and the Secretary of Protection,” Langley mentioned within the conclusion of his opening statements throughout the listening to.
