UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of the Communication Directorate for Headquarters
- Director, Communication Directorate
Ms. April Langwell is the Director of the Communication Directorate for Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. She serves as the Marine Corps' lead communication strategist, responsible for planning and implementing communication, visual information, and public outreach activities to build and maintain public trust for the Marine Corps. She oversees occupational field advocacy, training, and professional development for Marine and civilian Communication Strategy and Operations specialists and directs policies related to Marine Music programs. Additionally, she serves as the Navy's Deputy Chief of Information for Marine Corps matters.
Ms. Langwell began her federal career in public affairs with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's San Diego Field Office (2005-2013). She was responsible for all aspects of media, congressional, public, and community relations. She handled media for critical incidents, high profile investigations, and developed proactive media strategies to enhance public understanding of the FBI's mission. From 2013-2015 she served as the Director of External Affairs for Navy Region Southwest, facilitating community engagements to positively impact the outcome of Navy initiatives for ten installations in the six southwestern states. After a realignment in 2015, Ms. Langwell became the Director of Public Affairs for Navy Region Southwest where she led the Region's public affairs programs and strategic engagement plans that directly impacted mission readiness, Navy personnel, installation tenants, and environmental stewardship. Prior to assuming her current position, Ms. Langwell was the Chief of the Public Affairs Division for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (2018-2022) where she led the agency's public affairs programs, trained leadership for media interaction, and responded to numerous critical incidents. She joined the Senior Executive Service in August 2022.
Ms. Langwell received her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of Missouri, a Master's Degree in Adult Education from Central Michigan University, and a Master's Degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. She is also a graduate of the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College.
Billy A. Richardson was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. He enlisted in December of 1995 and went to Boot Camp at MCRD San Diego, California in July of 1996 where he graduated as the honor graduate.
Following Marine Combat Training in Camp Pendleton, California, Private First Class Richardson attended Administrative Clerk Course aboard Camp Johnson, North Carolina. Upon completion, he was assigned the Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) of 0151.
His first assignment was with 2d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division aboard Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and worked for both the Personnel Office and the S-1. After completing his second deployment, Corporal Richardson was assigned to Camp Smith, Hawaii where he was selected to be a member of the Staff Secretary (SSEC) Office for Marine Forces Pacific (MARFORPAC).
The Honorable Carlos Del Toro was sworn in as the 78th Secretary of the Navy August 9, 2021. As Secretary, he is responsible for over 900,000 Sailors, Marines, reservists, and civilian personnel and an annual budget exceeding $210 Billion. His priorities include securing the training and equipment...
Colonel Cheryl Blackstone is currently serving on active duty as the Deputy Director, Force Preservation Directorate, and as the Department of the Navy Tasks, Records and Consolidated Knowledge Enterprise Repository Project Officer, Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps (HQMC). When not in uniform, she is a Civil Servant (GS-14) serving as the Section Head for Readiness and War Reserve, Logistics Plans & Operations Branch, Logistics Plans, Policies, and Strategic Mobility Division, Installations and Logistics Department, Headquarters, US Marine Corps.
A 1990 graduate of Marquette University, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps. Upon completion of The Basic School in March 1991, Lieutenant Blackstone attended the Basic Communication Officer's Course and reported to 8 th Communications Battalion, 2nd Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Intelligence Group (SRIG), Camp Lejeune, NC, where she served as a Platoon Commander and then as the Group S-6.
In August 1994, she joined the Marine Corps Reserve as a member of the reserve detachment at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC, working as a Special Projects Officer in the Depot Operations section. In June 2006, she began Active Duty Special Work Orders with the Depot Academics Section, writing lesson plans for "The Crucible" and spearheaded a complete revision of the Recruit Training Program of Instruction.
From May 1997 until October 2000, she was a member of Ammunition Company (-) Rein, 4 th Supply Battalion, 4 th Marine Logistics Group (Greenville, SC), serving as the Executive Officer and subsequently Commanding Officer and was promoted to Major. During this command tour, she was employed as a classroom teacher at Richland County School District 2, Columbia, SC. As a first year teacher, she was selected to pilot a ground breaking ‘Transition Program' to assist at risk high school youth. She was awarded the inaugural "Distinguished Educator Award" for leadership and professionalism. Upon relinquishing command, she became the Peacetime Wartime Support Team (PWST) OIC for Company D, 8 th Tank Battalion, 4 th Marine Division, in Eastover, SC.
Relocating with her family to Hickory, NC, Maj Blackstone joined the staff of 4 th Maintenance Battalion, 4 th Marine Logistics Group, Charlotte, NC, March 2001 - July 2006. During this time, she served in various staff billets to include Maintenance Operations Section OIC, Operations Officer, Peacetime Wartime Support Team OIC, and lastly as Battalion Executive Officer. In her civilian career, she taught at a small private school serving as classroom teacher, Athletic Director, and Director of Development/Fundraising. She was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in January 2006.
In October 2006, she was mobilized to HQMC for duty with Logistics Plans, Operations and Strategic Mobility Division, Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics. In January 2010, the Section Head position for Readiness and War Reserve was ‘civilianized'. Demobilizing early, she was hired as a Civil Servant to fill this position. In August 2010, she joined the reserve detachment of the Marine Air Ground Staff Training Program at Quantico, where she served as the Deputy Director for Joint Logistics Operations. Returning to active duty, she was a member of the Marine Corps' 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review team as Manpower and Reserve Affairs Liaison. She was reassigned as the Marine Corps representative to the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission until May 2014.
Col Blackstone's personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
She holds a Master of Science in National Resourcing Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University, (2012), and a Master of Arts (Teaching) from the University of South Carolina (1996).
Job Titles:
- Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps
General Mahoney was sworn in as the 37th Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps on November 3, 2023....
General Smith is currently serving as the 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised in Plano, Texas, General Smith graduated from Texas A&M University and was commissioned in 1987....
Sergeant Major Ruiz assumed his current post as the 20th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps on August 10, 2023....
Sergeant Major Tyler enlisted in the Marine Corps and completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina in June 1999. Upon graduation, he attended Marine Combat Training and was transferred to Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools at Camp Johnson, North Carolina, where he received training as an Administration Clerk. Upon graduation, he reported to Headquarters Company, Weapons Field Training Battalion, Edson Range, Camp Pendleton, California for duty. He served as the Orders and Mail Clerk. He was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal. In November 2001, Corporal Tyler was reassigned to Recruiting Station Albany, New York, 1st Marine Corps District, Marine Corps Recruiting Command and served as the Operations Clerk and the Administration Clerk. He was promoted to Sergeant.
enlisted in the Marine Corps and completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina in June 1999. Upon graduation, he attended Marine Combat Training and was transferred to Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools at Camp Johnson, North Carolina, where he received training as an Administration Clerk. Upon graduation, he reported to Headquarters Company, Weapons Field Training Battalion, Edson Range, Camp Pendleton, California for duty. He served as the Orders and Mail Clerk. He was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal. In November 2001, Corporal Tyler was reassigned to Recruiting Station Albany, New York, 1st Marine Corps District, Marine Corps Recruiting Command and served as the Operations Clerk and the Administration Clerk. He was promoted to Sergeant.
In December 2004, Sergeant Tyler received orders to Drill Instructor School, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California. Upon completion of Drill Instructor School, he was assigned to Company I, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, where he served as a Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant. In April 2008, Staff Sergeant Tyler transferred to 7th Communications Battalion, III MHG, Okinawa, Japan and assumed the responsibilities of the Legal Chief for the unit. Staff Sergeant Tyler transferred to Headquarters Company, Headquarters & Service Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Okinawa, Japan in July 2008, and served as the SNCOIC for the Legal and Promotion Section in the IPAC. He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant. In April 2009, Gunnery Sergeant Tyler commenced training with the Regional Corps Advisory Command (RCAC) 3-7. He deployed with RCAC 3-7 in July 2009 for 9 months as an advisor to the G-1 Sergeant Major for the 101st Corps, Afghan National Army, in Wardak District. He also provided administrative support for over 150 Marines and Sailors assigned to the Embedded Transition Teams.
In January 2011, Gunnery Sergeant Tyler transferred to Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia and served as the SNCOIC for the Customer Service Department, and the Quality Assurance Department, IPAC. He also served as a summer augment in 2011 and 2012 as a Sergeant Instructor at Officer Candidate School. In April 2013, Gunnery Sergeant Tyler transferred to Officer Candidate School. He served as a Platoon Sergeant, Company C, and as the Drill Master for Officer Candidate School. In March 2014, he was promoted and served as the Company First Sergeant for Company C, Officer Candidate School. In November 2015, First Sergeant Tyler transferred to 1st Marine Raider Battalion, Marine Special Operation Command and served as the Company First Sergeant, Marine Special Operations Company A (MSOC A). He deployed in January 2017 to Camp Navarro, Philippines, and served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for Special Operations Task Force 511.2 in support of counter terrorism operations, which led to the establishment of Operation Pacific Eagle-Philippines.
From June 2018 to June 2020, Sergeant Major Tyler served as the Squadron Sergeant Major, Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 and transferred on 12 June 2020 to Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Iwakuni, Japan. In July 2021, Sergeant Major Tyler transferred to Headquarters & Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall, Arlington, Virginia and assumed his duties as the Sergeant Major on 13 August 2021.
Sergeant Major Tyler's personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with a gold star in lieu of second award, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars in lieu of fourth award, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two stars in lieu of third award, and Drill Instructor Ribbon with one star in lieu of second award.
Job Titles:
- Marine Corps Gold Star Representative
Job Titles:
- Chairman 's Leadership Library
Sergeant Richardson's next assignment was the Milwaukee Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). Upon completion, Staff Sergeant Richardson was selected to be part of the inspection/training team at US Military Entrance Processing Command (USMEPCOM) located in Great Lakes, Illinois.
After a successful tour, he was assigned as the Personnel Chief of the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF) located in Indian Head, Maryland. While there he also was also selected to be the SSEC. After his promotion to Gunnery Sergeant, he was assigned to be the Administrative Chief for Recruiting Station, New York. While there, Gunnery Sergeant Richardson submitted a package and was selected to become an Equal Opportunity Advisor (EOA).
After completion of the training at the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI), Gunnery Sergeant was assigned to 4th Marine Division. Master Sergeant Richardson was extended on the program and served as the EOA for Marine Forces Reserve (MARFORRES)/ Marine Forces North (MARFORNORTH)/Force Headquarter Group (FHG) as well as 4th Marine Division. Before being selected for his current billet, he was selected as the EOA of the Year for 2017.
November 2017 MSgt Richardson reported to HQMC G10, Force Preservation Directorate.
Master Sergeant Richardson's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal (oak cluster in lieu of second award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (gold star in lieu of second award), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (gold star in lieu of send award).