Walter E. Gaskin

Infobox Military Person
name= Walter E. Gaskin, Sr.
born=
died=
placeofbirth=
placeofdeath=
placeofburial=


caption= MajGen Walter E. Gaskin, Sr.
nickname=
allegiance= flagicon|United States United States of America
branch=United States Marine Corps
serviceyears= 1974 - present
rank= Major General
commands= 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines 22nd MEU Marine Corps Recruiting 2nd Marine Division
unit=
battles=
awards=Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star
laterwork=Major General Walter E. Gaskin, Sr. is currently the Vice Director, Joint Staff. His previous command was 2nd Marine Division (2006-2008), and Commander, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward)(2007-2008) and Commanding General Multinational Force - West, Fallujah, Iraq.

Biography

Walter E. Gaskin, Sr. graduated from Savannah State University’s NROTC Scholarship Program in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He later earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma in 1992.

Marine Corps career

Gaskin was commissioned a second lieutenant on June 2, 1974. After graduation from the Basic School, he was assigned to the Second Marine Division and served as a Rifle Platoon Commander and Executive Officer of Company K and the 106 Recoilless Rifle Platoon Commander for 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines.

In May 1977, he went to Okinawa and served as the S-3 for Logistic Support Units (LSU) Echo and Foxtrot, 3rd Force Service Support Group. He also served as the senior watch officer in the 3rd Marine Division Command Center. In May 1978, he reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island where he served as a Series Commander and Commanding Officer of Company F, Second Recruit Training Battalion. In 1980, he was assigned as the Marine Officer Instructor (MOI) at the NROTC Unit, Savannah State University and as the assistant Officer Selection Officer (OSO), Recruiting Station Macon, Georgia. Upon completing his MOI / Recruiting assignment in 1983, Gaskin was ordered to Amphibious Warfare School, Quantico, Virginia.

In July 1984, Gaskin joined 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines where he served as the Operations Officer (S-3). He was subsequently selected to attend the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in July 1986. From 1987 until 1990, Gaskin served as an action officer HQMC/MCCDC in charge of Unit Environmental Training Programs, Jungle, Cold Weather, Combined Arms Exercises (CAX). In 1990, he was assigned to the Combined Forces Command, Seoul, Korea, where he served as Head, Ground Forces Branch, Operations Division, C/J-3. In July 1992, he reported to II MEF where he served as G-3 Current Operations Action Officer and Operations Officer for II MEF (FWD) during the planning and execution of Battle Griffin Exercise in Norway.

In July 1993, Gaskin attended the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. After graduation in June 1994, he was assigned as the Executive Officer, 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division. In April 1995, he assumed command of 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines (2/2). In January 1996, he deployed to the Mediterranean Seaas the Commanding Officer of Battalion Landing Team 2/2 (BLT 2/2) as part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable [22nd MEU (SOC)] as the Landing Force Sixth Fleet (LF6F). During that deployment, he participated in Operation Assured Response and Quick Response in Defense of American Embassies in Liberia and The Central African Republic. From September 1996 to July 1998, Gaskin served as the Ground Colonel’s Monitor at Headquarters Marine Corps. In August 1998, he returned to Camp Lejeune for duty as Head of Expeditionary Operations, G-3, II MEF.

In January 1999, Gaskin assumed command of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. In September 1999, he deployed to the Mediterranean Sea as Landing Force Sixth Fleet (LF6F). During this deployment the 22nd MEU (SOC) participated in Bright Star 99/00 in Egypt and Infinite Moonlight in Jordan. In addition, the 22nd MEU served as the Strategic Reserve for operations in Bosnia and Kosovo.

In March 2000, he assumed the duties of Commanding General, Training Command, Training and Education Command, MCCDC. Gaskin then served as the Chief of Staff, Naval Striking and Support Forces Southern Europe and as the Deputy Commanding General, Fleet Marine Forces Europe, in Naples, Italy. He took command of Marine Corps Recruiting Command in September 2004. He was promoted to the rank of Major General in October 2005.

In June 2006, MajGen Gaskins assumed command of the 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. [cite web
url=http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/ac95bc775efc34c685256ab50049d458/a8cb0914228432938525717700650cdb?OpenDocument
title=Marine Corps Recruiting Command bids farewell to recruiting leaders
author=Staff Sgt. Marc Ayalin
date=May 19, 2006
work=Marine Corps News
accessdate=2006-11-08] During Gaskin’s service as the division commander, he oversaw the preparation of the division’s more than 22,000 Marines and sailors for their roles in support of operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Horn of Africa in support of the Global War on Terrorism, and deployed alongside them. In February 2007, Gaskin deployed as the II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) commander in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and headed the more than 35,000-member Multi-National Force West (MNF-W), which patrolled Iraq's western province of al Anbar, the largest province in Iraq. While in command of MNF-W, Gaskin used its forces to help train and develop Iraqi police and military. Gaskin returned to the States with II MEF (FWD) from Iraq in February 2008.

He relinquished command of 2nd Marine Division on June 20, 2008, turning over the reins to Maj Gen. Richard T. Tryon.cite news|accessdate=2008-08-17
url=http://www.iimefpublic.usmc.mil/__852571150047CCBC.nsf/rssNews/A13CA121F325B81485257474006BBA94?OpenDocument
title=Maj. Gen. Gaskin relinquishes command of 2nd Marine Division
author=Jones, LCpl Brian D.
date=June 20, 2008
publisher=II MEF, United States Marine Corps]

On July 27, 2008, Gaskin assumed the role as Vice Director, Joint Staff.Public Directory of the United States Marine Corps General Officers and Senior Executives (August 17, 2008), Senior Leader Management Branch, United States Marine Corps.]

Awards and decorations

Major General Gaskin's personal decorations include:

*

* (with Gold Star in lieu of 2nd award)

* (with combat “V”)

*

*

* (with 2 Gold Stars in lieu of 3rd award)

*

* Combat Action Ribbon

Notes

References

*cite web
url=http://www.usmc.mil/genbios2.nsf/biographies/086BAF9194B1D1AC852568F50043CA2B?opendocument |title=Official Biography for Walter E. Gaskin
date=July 7, 2006
work= [http://www.usmc.mil/genbios2.nsf/biographies|Official Biographies]
publisher=United States Marine Corps

*cite web
url=https://slsp.manpower.usmc.mil/gosa/biographies/rptBiography.asp?PERSON_ID=74&PERSON_TYPE=General
title=Major General Walter E. Gaskins, Sr.
work=Biographies: General Officers and Senior Executives
publisher=Manpower and Reserve Affairs, United States Marine Corps
accessdate=2007-05-26

External links

*Kaemmerer, T.J. [http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/0/f4661d3aecf2a597852570990043a473?OpenDocument"Recruiting's commanding general becomes senior ranking active duty African American Marine"] , October 7, 2005.