Lieutenant General Neller assumed duties as Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command on 1 July 2014. A native of East Lansing, Michigan, he graduated from the University of Virginia and was commissioned via the Platoon Leaders Class program in May 1975.
Lieutenant General Neller’s assignments in the operating forces include: Rifle and Weapons Platoon Leader and Company Commander with Company L, 3d Battalion, 4th Marines, 3d Marine Division, Commanding Officer, Company A, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 3d Light Armored Infantry Battalion and 6th Marine Regiment. While with 3d LAI he participated in Operation “Restore Hope” in Somalia. Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Security Force Company, Panama, where he participated in Operations “Just Cause” and “Promote Liberty”. Additionally, he served as Executive Officer, 7th Marine Regiment, G-3, II Marine Expeditionary Force and G-3, 2nd Marine Division.
Other assignments include recruit series officer, aide-de-camp and as Director of Special Training Division MCRD San Diego, CA. Lieutenant General Neller served as Student Company Executive Officer and Tactics Instructor at The Basic School, Quantico, VA, and in Special Projects Directorate HQMC. Additionally, he served as a Staff Officer in the Policy Division of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Casteau, Belgium.
As a general officer, he has served as the Assistant Division Commander of 2d Marine Division; the Director, Operations Division, Plans, Policies (PP&O) HQMC; as the Deputy Commanding General (Operations), I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) during OIF 05-07, and as the Assistant Division Commander for 1st Marine Division. Lieutenant General Neller commanded 3rd Marine Division and served as President, Marine Corps University. From January 2011 to July 2012, he served as Director for Operations, J3, The Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
Lieutenant General Neller is a graduate of The Basic School, Advanced Armor Officer Course, Marine Command and Staff College, NATO Defense College, and the Armed Forces Staff College. He holds a BA in History and Speech Communication from the University of Virginia and a MA in Human Resource Management from Pepperdine University.
