David Odom

David L. Odom is a United States Marine Corps lieutenant general who was commanding general of the 2nd Marine Division from 2024 to 2025. He currently serves as Director of Operations at the Joint Staff since 2025.

Biography A native of Hartsville, South Carolina, Odom graduated from The Citadel in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps as an infantry officer. His further military education included The Basic School, Amphibious Warfare School, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, the School of Advanced Warfighting, and the Marine Corps War College. He holds master's degrees in military, operational, and strategic studies. In 2012, he completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Odom has been deployed in both the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan, and served a company and battalion commander in the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines. He later commanded the 4th Marine Regiment in Japan. His other staff assignments include serving as Assistant Division Commander of 2nd Marine Division; Deputy Commanding General of II Marine Expeditionary Force; and Director, Expeditionary Warfare Division (N95) on the Staff of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV). In June 2024, he became commanding general of the 2nd Marine Division, until May 2025.

In June 2025, he was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as director for operations of the Joint Staff.

Awards Odom's decorations and medals include

Defense Superior Service Medal with bronze oak leaf clusterLegion of Merit with ”V” device and two gold award starsDefense Meritorious Service Medal wMeritorious Service Medal with gold award starNavy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with gold award starJoint Service Achievement MedalNavy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two gold award starsCombat Action RibbonJoint Meritorious Unit Award with two Oak leaf clusters U.S. Navy Unit Commendation with two bronze starNavy Meritorious Unit CommendationNational Defense Service Medal with bronze service starArmed Forces Expeditionary MedalAfghanistan Campaign Medal with bronze service starIraq Campaign Medal with bronze service starGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalKorea Defense Service MedalArmed Forces Service MedalHumanitarian Service MedalSea Service Ribbon with eleven award starsNATO Medal for Yugoslavia with two bronze award starsExpert Rifle Badge(5th award)Expert Pistol Badge(8th award)

Personal life Odom is married to Dr. Michelle Trusso, who is a retired Marine lieutenant colonel.