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's father was a master sergeant in the United States Air Force. When his father retired from the military in the early 1970s, the family moved to a civilian neighborhood in Texas. His father, Willie C. Langley, retired when he was told he would be deployed overseas again, separating him from his children. He was the primary caregiver for his children after their mother's death.

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.

Military career

While attending college, Langley entered the Platoon Leaders Course (PLC) program in 1983, 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. He commanded at every level from platoon to regiment – including Battery K, 5th Battalion, 11th Marines in support of Operation Wildfire in Western United States; battalion and regimental commands in 12th Marines forward deployed in Okinawa, Japan; and both the 201st Regional Corps Advisory Command-Central and Regional Support Command – Southwest in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

As a General Officer, Langley's command assignments include Deputy Commanding General, II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) and Commanding General, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade; Commander, Marine Forces Europe and Africa; and Deputy Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic and Deputy Commander, Marine Forces Command and Marine Forces Northern Command.

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. He assumed command on 6 August 2022.

Langley made his first visit to the continent from 28–31 August, visiting Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti. He made his first visit to the Sahel region from 18–21 September 2022, meeting senior officials in Niger and Chad. He emphasized the respect for democracy and human rights was critical to countering extremist movements in the region. 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

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States government.