Michael Langley

Michael Elliott Langley (born 1961) is a retired American general who last served as the commander of the United States Africa Command from 2022 to 2025. He most recently served as commander of United States Marine Corps Forces Command, United States Marine Corps Forces Northern Command, and Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic from 2021 to 2022. He also served as deputy commander of Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic and before that as commander of United States Marine Forces Europe and Africa.

Langley is the first black four-star general in the United States Marine Corps, having been promoted to that rank on 6 August 2022.

Early life and education A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Langley graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington, where he majored in information systems analysis.

Langley holds a master's degree in national security strategic studies from the Naval War College and a master's degree in strategic studies from the United States Army War College. and was commissioned as an Artillery Officer in 1985 through Officer Candidates School. Langley was a platoon commander in Hotel Company, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines.

Four-star general In June 2022, Langley was nominated for promotion to general and assignment as commander of United States Africa Command. The nomination was confirmed by the Senate in August 2022, making him the first black four-star general in the 246-year history of the Marine Corps. Langley visited North Africa for the first time from 17–19 October 2022, meeting with defense officials in Morocco and Tunisia, which he described as important for regional security and maritime security on NATO's southern flank.

In May 2024, Langley said that the U.S. remained in contact with the military juntas in Niger and Chad, despite the withdrawal of troops from those countries.

Awards and decorations