Parris Island Marine base has a new commander. He took unusual path to the top
A new commanding general is overseeing the second-oldest Marine base in the country, and he took an uncommon route to get to the top.
Brig. Gen. Ahmed T. Williamson relinquished command to Brig. Gen. Lance J. Langfeldt during a ceremony Tuesday at the 111-year-old U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in Port Royal.
Each year, some 20,000 recruits are trained to be Marines at Parris Island. The commanding general oversees training at the base and recruiting in the Eastern Recruiting Region, the eastern half of the U.S.
Langfeldt served two prior tours at Parris Island. He was assistant chief of staff for the Eastern Recruiting Region. He was also commanding officer of the 6th Marine Corps District, which recruits Marines in seven southeastern states and Puerto Rico.
The new commander said in a news release that he is looking forward to getting back in the fight at Parris Island.
“For the Marines, sailors and family members of Parris Island, I am excited to be here with you,” Langfeldt said.
In becoming a commander, Langfeldt did not take a typical route.
The Omaha, Nebraska native enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1990. He rose to the rank of sergeant, then left the Marines and returned home where he finished his undergraduate education at the University of Nebraska Omaha.
He returned to the Marines and was commissioned as an officer in 1997.
He later earned a master’s in defense studies from King’s College London, and a master’s in strategic studies from the Marine Corps War College.
Langfeldt’s personal decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (Second award), Meritorious Service Medal (Fourth award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device (Third award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Second award) and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Following the passing of the unit’s guidon, or flag, Williamson, the outgoing commander, said it had been his great honor to serve as the commanding general of the depot. Base commanders typically serve two years.
“To the leaders from our community — from the mayors of Beaufort, and Port Royal, the Beaufort County leadership and the state of South Carolina — thank you for what you do to continue to support our Marines, our sailors and our family members,” Williamson said.
Williamson is moving to Fort Meade, Maryland, to serve at Marine Corps Cyber Command.
The change of command’s reviewing official was Maj. Gen. Walker Field, the former commanding general of Parris Island and the current commanding general of Marine Corps Recruiting Command, which is in charge of recruitment across the country.
During his remarks, Field said the depot’s success is because of the community’s deep embrace of Parris Island.
“We couldn’t do this without you,” Field said.
About 500 people attended the ceremony, including former commanding generals, band members, flag detail, active service members, state lawmakers and local officials, including Port Royal Mayor Kevin Phillips and Beaufort Mayor Phil Cromer. Afterward, a hail and farewell social was conducted to say goodbye and hello to the incoming and outgoing commanders.
Enlisted male training began at the 8,000-acre Parris Island — 3,262 acres are habitable, with the rest salt marsh — in 1959. The base began training women in 1949.
