Generally Speaking
Following four decades of military service, General Robert Neller receives an official order that changes the course of his life.
After 40 years of dedicated service in the United States Marine Corps (USMC), general Robert Neller (MA 鈥�81) was looking forward to retiring from the military. That is, until last summer, when president Barack Obama nominated Neller as the 37th commandant of the USMC, the highest ranking position within that particular branch of the armed forces.
The United States Senate confirmed the president鈥檚 nomination shortly thereafter,
and the former lieutenant general officially began the new chapter of his military
career on September 24, 2015. He describes his new role as 鈥渦nexpected鈥� and 鈥渘ot part
of my plan,鈥� but says the selection and subsequent offer was one he could not refuse.
Neller鈥檚 decades-long career within the USMC was also due to an unexpected turn of
events. Though his original plan while in college was to become an attorney, that
dream was cut short when he was not accepted to the law school of his choice. He was
also suddenly and heavily burdened by the financial pressures of continuing his education
when his parents, in the midst of separation, were facing their own financial concerns
and were no longer able to cover his tuition expenses.
Neller also planned to start his own family around this time and knew he needed a
job to support his growing brood. He signed up for the United States Marine Corps
Officer Candidates School with his college roommate in search of a new opportunity.
鈥淲e both went, and we both completed it,鈥� Neller remembers. 鈥淭he Marine Corps offered
us a commission, and we took it. The plan was to do this for about three years, and
then figure out what I was going to do for the rest of my life.鈥�
Photo By: Sgt. Ricardo Hurtado
This new journey also introduced Neller to the human resources management program
at 色片软件免费 while living in San Diego, California.
鈥淧epperdine had a program that was really innovative at the time,鈥� he recalls. 鈥淭hey
offered courses that primarily targeted military service members, and they had campuses
at a lot of major military installations. There were a lot of people the program: Marines, sailors, a few Department of Defense civilians, and people that still had
their original GI Bill庐 benefit that they were using to take courses.鈥�
Neller still remembers the rigorous academic routine required of Pepperdine military
students, including a class schedule that took up most of his time Thursday through
Sunday, 11 times per semester, for a total of 22 weeks. After completing course work,
he passed an eight-hour exam and earned his master鈥檚 degree.
鈥淚t was not what I would call an easy curriculum ... so you had to want to get your
degree,鈥� he recalls.
Neller shares that the education he received at Pepperdine provided him with the necessary
knowledge and training to become a lifelong leader. Thinking back to the curriculum
that focused heavily on psychology and communication, he reveals that 鈥渁 lot of it
was leadership, and when you鈥檙e in the military, you鈥檙e kind of in the leadership
business.鈥�
Fast-forward 35 years and Neller鈥檚 leadership skills are still actively and effectively
being utilized to serve the nation in various ways, primarily focusing on recruitment
in an effort to continue to keep the USMC strong. As he explains, 鈥淲e鈥檙e a very young
force. About 60 percent of the Marine Corps is under the age of 25. We also have the
lowest percentage of officers who enlisted. It鈥檚 a physically demanding life, which
I think is the part that appeals to most people that want to be Marines. They want
to be challenged. So we鈥檝e got to continue to recruit and retain.鈥�
Training the recruits is another major priority for the general, referring to the
USMC reputation of being America鈥檚 force in readiness. 鈥淲e have to continue to train
hard, and be ready to go where the nation needs us to go, and do what the nation needs
us to do. We are, by law and by heritage, a naval force, so we have to work with our
navy shipmates and use the sea, and come off ships to do our business, whether it
be a combat mission or humanitarian assistance.鈥�
Neller also understands the importance of utilizing modern technology to stay on top
of his game. He emphasizes that since the tools and devices that we rely on every
day change so frequently, it is crucial to keep up with the latest advancements.
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Gabriela Garcia
He reveals that protecting the safety of the citizens of our country is of utmost
priority. 鈥淭here are people out there that, for a variety of reasons, don鈥檛 like our
way of life or don鈥檛 like things about us, and want to potentially do us harm. So
part of the mission is to make sure that people that live in this country can be safe
and live the lives that they are authorized to live under the Constitution of the
United States.鈥�
Throughout a typical workday, Neller鈥檚 schedule involves seeing Marines and attending
staff meetings that allow participants to submit policies and ideas. During 鈥渢estimony
season鈥� this past March, Neller met with members of Congress to discuss various aspects
of the Marine Corps, such as the budget.
The Marine Corps has also been involved in historic military modifications this year,
since secretary of defense Ashton Carter has recently opened all previously closed
occupations and units to women. The USMC conducted research to determine how it might
integrate all qualified Marines into those previously closed military occupational
specialties.
鈥淲e did a big evaluation of the assignment of female Marines to previously restricted
units,鈥� Neller explains. 鈥淲e made our recommendation with the Secretary of Defense,
and he decided that there will no longer be any gender restrictions, so if you can
meet the standard, you are allowed to try out for those particular occupations and
those particular units. We are still in the beginning of the implementation of that.鈥�
Neller also points out that current laws do not require women to have to register
for the draft. 鈥淭he discussion is, since there is no longer a restriction on females
serving in certain occupational fields and in certain units鈥攚hich was the legal reason
given for them not being required to register for the draft in the past鈥攕hould they
now be required to register for the draft? That鈥檚 the question. And that鈥檚 a discussion
that鈥檚 going to have to take place within the political realm, and among and with
the American people.鈥�
From his first few years in the Marine Corps to his time at Pepperdine, to serving
both domestically and overseas in various capacities, Neller contends that every opportunity
he has ever been presented with has, in some way, been interesting, challenging, and
rewarding.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Julio McGraw
Of all his accomplishments, he happily declares that his greatest achievements are
his 40-year marriage and his three children. 鈥淚鈥檓 very, very proud of my family,鈥�
he says. 鈥淎t the end of the day, that鈥檚 really what counts. I think we鈥檙e all proud
of our service, being able to help people, and being able to contribute along the
way, but also I鈥檓 a grandfather, so that鈥檚 pretty exciting.鈥�
Neller expresses that although he never aspired to become commandant of the Marine
Corps, 鈥渟ometimes life picks you, but it鈥檚 a great honor and privilege, and I鈥檓 honored
to be able to be a Marine for a few more years.鈥�