Tattoo of GEN Michael E. Langley

Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/1124539189

“Born on The Bayou” – Creedence Clearwater Revival 

Michael E. Langley was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, in November 1961. His father, Willie C. Langley, was a Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force. However, he retired in 1972, when he was told he would be deployed overseas again, which would separate him from his children. He was the primary caregiver after their mother's death. Post retirement, the family moved to Benbrook, on the Western side of Fort Worth, Texas. At Western Hills High School, he lettered in Football his Junior and Senior years, playing tight end. He also excelled at track and field, specifically on the mile relay team, until he graduated in 1980.

“Against the Wind” - Bob Seger

After high school, he attended the University of Texas at Arlington, where he was a 400-meter sprinter. One day, his track teammates were ­running through practice drills, working to shave time off their sprints, when a Marine Gunnery Sergeant walked up to them with a pitch. The gunny promised they’d cut at least a second off their best times if they tried the Platoon Leaders Class training at Quantico and ran with gear through the woods during the six weeks of grueling training. So in the summer of 1983, Langley’s life was changed when he decided to join the Corps. He often jokes that his father and older brother, who also served in the Air Force, taught him “aim high,” but he aimed high and found “the Few and the Proud.”

“Semper Fi” – Trace Atkins

Michael graduated and commissioned in 1985. After TBS and Artillery school, he was assigned to Hotel Battery, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, Camp Lejeune where he served as a Forward Observer, Fire Direction Officer, Platoon Commander and Executive Officer. Young 2ndLt Langley was a powerlifter in the weight room, loved flag football games, was an intellectual who set records for how many training courses he wrote, and a problem-solver whose commanders frequently tapped to mediate disputes. He was offered a Battery command as a 1stLt, a position generally reserved for captains. “A lieutenant taking a battery here in 10th Marines, the largest artillery regiment in the free world, hasn’t happened since Vietnam,” the colonel told Langley. This level of excellence in command earned the recipient the Honorable Order of St. Barbara in 1988 while still a Lieutenant.

“Baba O’Riley” – The Who

In 1989, he was transferred to Marine Barracks, 8th and I, Washington, DC, and assigned to the Marine Corps Institute as a Division Officer. He volunteered for extra duty leading 200 local “Young Marines,” a national nonprofit youth organization focusing on leadership and community service. Maj Ronald Bailey, who later became LtGen Bailey, mentored Langley early on. He gave him sage advice, saying, “You will live under a microscope and you must always set the standard.” During this tour, he was promoted to Captain and later assigned as a student at the Amphibious Warfare School in 1991. Upon graduation from AWS, he was transferred to the 1st Marine Division and assigned as the G-lB from 1992 to 1993. During this period, he deployed to Somalia in support of Operation RESTORE HOPE. In May 1993, he was assigned to 5th Battalion, 11th Marines as the Liaison Officer. He assumed command of Headquarters Battery where he deployed in support of Operations WILDFIRE to the Western United States. He later assumed command of Battery K, 3d Battalion, 12th Marines and served in this capacity until 1995.

“Thunder” - ACDC

Upon his selection to Major, he was transferred to Huntsville, AL to assume duties as Inspector-Instructor Battery K, 4th Battalion, 14th Marines. After graduating from the Command and Staff Course in Newport, Rhode Island, Major Langley was assigned as the Naval Surface Fire Support Requirements Officer in the Expeditionary Warfare Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. When promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, he assumed additional duties as the Joint Integration Officer in the Surface Warfare Division, OPNAV. In 2002, he reported to 3d Marine Division; Okinawa, Japan and assumed command of 3d Battalion, 12th Marines. Upon relinquishing command, he was assigned to the Pentagon for Joint Duty. During his tour on the Joint Staff, LtCol Langley served as an action officer in the Policy Division, Strategic Plans & Policy Directorate (J-5), and as the Iraq Desk Officer, Joint Staff Response Cell, J-3 Operations Directorate. He was promoted to Colonel and concluded his tour as the Deputy Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Colonel Langley attended the Army War College in Carlisle and graduated in 2007. He reported to Okinawa to assume command of 12th Marine Regiment. Next, Langley deployed to Afghanistan to take command of 201st Regional Corps Advisory Command - Central during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Returning from Afghanistan, he served as the Director of Special Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Forces Pacific. At 3rd MEF, he earned his Ancient Order of Saint Barbara next to his friend and fellow Redleg, then, BrigGen Mark Brilakis in 2009.

“Semper Fidelis March” – John Philip Sousa

As a General Officer, his command assignments include Deputy Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force and Commanding General, 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade; Commander, Marine Forces Europe and Africa; and Deputy Commanding General, culminating as Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic; and Deputy Commander, culminating as Commanding General, Marine Forces Command and Marine Forces Northern Command.

“The Marine Corps Hymn”

A handful of African Americans have become three-star generals in the Marine Corps, while others have attained four stars in the Army, Air Force, and Navy. General Michael E. Langley, U.S. Marine Corps, became the sixth Commander of United States Africa Command and the first African American, Four-Star, Marine Corps General in August 2022. As Commander, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, he oversaw one of seven joint service geographic combatant commands. He was responsible for all U.S. military operations and activities to protect and advance U.S. national interests in Africa. He controlled roughly 6,000 U.S. troops in Africa, mostly engaged in training African militaries and helping build their capacities and face unique challenges tied to climate change, population growth, and political instability.

 “Stars and Stripes Forever” - John Philip Sousa

General Michael Langley retired after a 40-year military career and patriotic service to his country. Along the way, he broke barriers, prejudices, and stereotypes. He ensured young leaders of all races, creeds, and genders have a path to the top positions within the Marine Corps. His dedication to personal excellence and going the extra mile will resonate in the Corps for generations to follow. A life-long member of the Field Artillery Association, he credits his success to those Redlegs who led and mentored him during his career, and the standards he learned within the Artillery that propelled him to seek and achieve his place in history.