John A. Toolan

John "Jocko" A. Toolan Jr. (born January 28, 1954) is a retired United States Marine Corps Lieutenant General, whose final post was as the Commanding General, United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific.

Marine Corps career

Toolan joined the United States Marine Corps in 1976, and graduated from the Basic School in April 1977. His first assignment was with the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines in Okinawa, Japan. After three years service at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, he served as company commander of Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines from 1982 to 1984.

Toolan saw service in the Gulf War in 1991 before taking command of the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. He also served on the Supreme Allied Headquarters in Europe.

In 2003, Toolan served as the Chief of Staff for 1st Marine Division during the march to Baghdad as part of the Iraq War, serving under Major General James Mattis. In 2004, he commanded 1st Marine Regiment during the First Battle of Fallujah.

From March 2011 to March 2012, Toolan commanded Regional Command Southwest during the War in Afghanistan.

He also served as Director of Command and Staff College at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, and, in September 2012, he took command of I Marine Expeditionary Force. Toolan retired from the Marine Corps on October 1, 2016.

Awards, honors and decorations

First rowDefense Superior Service Medal w/ 1 oak leaf clusterLegion of Merit w/ valor device & 2 award starsMeritorious Service Medal w/ 1 award starNavy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal w/ 1 award starSecond rowCombat Action RibbonPresidential Unit CitationJoint Meritorious Unit Award w/ 1 oak leaf clusterNavy Unit Commendation w/ 2 service starsThird rowNavy and Marine Corps Meritorious Unit CommendationNational Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service starArmed Forces Expeditionary Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal w/ 2 service starsFourth rowKosovo Campaign Medal w/ 1 service starAfghanistan Campaign Medal w/ 1 service starIraq Campaign Medal w/ 2 service starsGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalFifth rowGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalKorea Defense Service MedalSea Service Ribbon w/ 9 service starsOverseas Service Ribbon w/ 1 service starSixth rowDrill Instructor RibbonNATO Medal (Kosovo) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)BadgeOffice of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge