Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced a major reshuffling of top Marine Corps brass on Monday, with seven lieutenant generals receiving new assignments in a sweeping reorganization of military leadership.
The nominations, revealed on January 20, 2026, include five reappointments of current lieutenant generals to new positions and two major generals who will receive their third star. The moves represent a significant realignment of command structure across intelligence, expeditionary forces, and cyber operations.
Intelligence Community Shifts
Among the most notable changes, Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James H. Adams III will transition from his current role as deputy commandant for Programs and Resources to become director of the Defense Intelligence Agency at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C.
In a parallel move within the intelligence sphere, Lt. Gen. Melvin G. Carter, currently serving as deputy commandant for Information, has been tapped to become the director’s advisor for Military Affairs in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Expeditionary Force Leadership Overhaul
Perhaps the most dramatic reshuffling comes within the Marine Expeditionary Forces. Lt. Gen. Robert C. Fulford, currently stationed in Germany as deputy commander of U.S. European Command, will return stateside to lead II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
“Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced today that the president has made the following nominations,” the Department of War stated in its official release, before detailing the extensive leadership changes.
Meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Benjamin T. Watson will shift from his position as deputy commandant for Training and Education to take command of III Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Forces Japan in Okinawa. The move signals continued American commitment to maintaining a strong presence in the Pacific theater amid growing regional tensions.
What’s behind this comprehensive leadership reorganization? While the Department hasn’t specified strategic motivations, military analysts point to evolving threats in both the cyber realm and conventional warfare theaters as likely drivers.
Lt. Gen. Calvert L. Worth Jr., who currently commands II Marine Expeditionary Force, will move to Norfolk, Virginia, to lead U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command, Marine Forces North, and Fleet Marine Force Atlantic — a complex role overseeing multiple command structures on the eastern seaboard.
Rising Stars Receive Third Star
Two major generals will receive promotions to lieutenant general as part of the shake-up. Maj. Gen. Joseph A. Matos III, who’s been juggling multiple cyber and space command roles at Fort Meade, Maryland, will be elevated to deputy commandant for Information at Marine Corps headquarters in the Pentagon.
His promotion highlights the military’s growing emphasis on information warfare and cyber capabilities. Matos currently serves as commander of Marine Forces Cyberspace Command, Marine Forces Space Command, Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber, and Marine Corps Information Command — a portfolio that underscores the increasing convergence of traditional and digital battlespaces.
Completing the leadership reorganization, Maj. Gen. Andrew M. Niebel will step up from his current role as director of the Logistics Division to become deputy commandant for Installations and Logistics at Marine Corps headquarters.
The nominations now await formal confirmation processes before the officers can assume their new roles. Still, the comprehensive nature of these changes signals a significant moment of transition for Marine Corps leadership as the service adapts to evolving global security challenges and technological warfare demands.
