David Furness

David Furness
Official portrait, 2021
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1987–2023
Rank	Lieutenant General
Commands	2nd Marine Division Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa Recruiting Station Sacramento 1st Marine Regiment 1st Battalion, 1st Marines
Battles / wars	Gulf War War in Afghanistan Iraq War
Awards	Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star Medal (2)

David J. Furness is a retired United States Marine Corps lieutenant general who last served as the Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations from August 2021 to July 2023. ^[1] He previously was the Assistant Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations from August 2020 to August 2021. ^{[2] [3] [4] [5]}

In August of 2025 he was appointed by the Virginia Military Institute's Board of Visitors as the school's 16th Superintendent. ^{[6] [7]}

References

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

1. "WEBCAST: RETIREMENT CEREMONY FOR LIEUTENANT GENERAL DAVID J. FURNESS". DVIDS. July 21, 2023. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
2. "VMI Alumni Assume, Change Commands". VMI Alumni Agencies. October 2, 2020.
3. "Fair Winds and Following Seas: 2d Marine Division Change of Command". DVIDS.
4. Seck, Hope Hodge (April 30, 2019). "2nd Marine Division CO Regrets How He Rolled Out Stringent New Routine. But He's Not Backing Down". Military.com.
5. "Maj. Gen. David J. Furness Speaks on Leadership". DVIDS.
6. https://cadetnewspaper.com/news/961/lt-gen-david-furness-87-discipline-merit-and-one-standard-for-all/
7. https://www.wdbj7.com/2025/08/15/vmi-gets-its-16th-superintendent/

Military offices
Preceded by Kurt L. Sonntag	Commanding General of the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa 2017–2018	Succeeded by William L. Zana
Preceded by John K. Love	Commanding General of the 2nd Marine Division 2018–2020	Succeeded by Francis L. Donovan
Preceded by Gregg P. Olson	Assistant Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations of the United States Marine Corps 2020–2021	Succeeded by Robert F. Castellvi
Preceded by George W. Smith Jr.	Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations of the United States Marine Corps 2021–2023	Succeeded by Roger B. Turner Acting