Robert F. Castellvi

Last updated
Robert F. Castellvi
Major General Robert F Castellvi.png
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service1984-2022
Rank Major general
Unit Task Force Leatherneck
15th Marine Expeditionary Unit
24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
Commands heldInspector General of the Marine Corps
1st Marine Division
2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Marine Corps Installations East
Battles/wars Operation Earnest Will
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Inherent Resolve
Awards1993 recipient of the Leftwich Trophy for leadership
Combat Action Ribbon
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with one Gold Star
Bronze Star Medal
Alma mater University of Illinois
Capitol College (MS)
National Defense University (MS)
Marine Corps University (MS)
Industrial College of the Armed Forces
School of Advanced Warfighting
Marine Command and General Staff College

Robert F. Castellvi is a retired United States Marine Corps major general who most recently served as Inspector General of the Marine Corps from 9 October 2020 to 1 May 2021. [1] As Inspector General, Castellvi oversaw matters of institutional integrity, discipline and combat readiness in the Corps, maintaining credibility through impartial and independent inspections, assessments, inquiries, investigations, teaching, and training. He is also an ex-officio Member at the North Carolina Military Affairs Full Commission in Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, North Carolina. [2]

Contents

As of 1 May 2021, Castellvi was suspended from serving as the Inspector General of the Marine Corps pending the outcome of an investigation into an AAV mishap while he was commanding general of the 1st Marine Division. [3]

Military career

Castellvi was commissioned into the Marine Corps via the NROTC program in February 1984. [4]

Castellvi participated in Operation Earnest Will in the Persian Gulf with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit in 1985, Operation Inherent Resolve as the deputy commanding general for operations, Operation RESTORE HOPE, and Operation Desert Storm. [1]

On 22 March 2017, then-Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis nominated Robert F. Castellvi to the rank of Major General while he was deputy commanding general of the II Marine Expeditionary Force (dual-hatted as 2 MEB commander). He was confirmed by the Senate on 1 May 2017. [5] He was the commander of Marine Corps Installations East from 12 July 2013 to 31 July 2015, and was succeeded by Major General Thomas D. Weidley. [6] He was also a director of the Manpower Management Division. [7]

He was formerly the commanding officer of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade [1] and then the 1st Marine Division, succeeding Eric M. Smith. He served as commanding general of the 1st Marines from 6 July 2018 to 22 September 2020, passing the baton to Major General Roger B. Turner Jr. [8] [9] While serving as the commanding general of the 1st Marine Division, Castellvi relieved Lt. Col. Francisco Zavala, the commanding officer of the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion. Castellvi relieved Zavala on May 7, 2019 for "loss of trust and confidence" in the commander's ability to lead the battalion. [10]

Suspension

Castellvi was suspended from all current duties on 1 May 2021 on orders from David H. Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps, based on an investigation into his responsibility for an AAV mishap at Camp Pendleton, when 8 Marines and a Navy Corpsman drowned in a preventable "accident" on July 30, 2020. An investigation is still being conducted on culpability. [11] [3]

In June 2021, Marine spokespersons reported that Castellvi had been permanently relieved of duty as Inspector General and counselled by the Commandant, rendering him likely ineligible for promotion to higher rank. [12] [13]

Education

Major General Castellvi is a graduate of the University of Illinois where he earned his Marine Corps commission through the NROTC program. [14] He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Infantry Officer Advance Course, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, The School of Advanced Warfighting, as well as the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Castellvi also earned Master's Degrees from the Marine Corps University, the National Defense University, and Capitol College. [15]

Awards and decorations

Major General Robert F. Castellvi is the recipient of the following awards: [16]

US Army Airborne basic parachutist badge.gif Parachutist Badge
USMC Rifle Expert badge.png Rifle Expert Badge (7th award)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles C. Krulak</span> United States Marine Corps general

Charles Chandler Krulak is a retired United States Marine Corps four-star general who served as the 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps from July 1, 1995 to June 30, 1999. He is the son of Lieutenant General Victor H. "Brute" Krulak, who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He was the 13th President of Birmingham-Southern College after his stint as a non-executive director of English association football club Aston Villa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James T. Conway</span> United States Marine Corps general

James Terry Conway is a retired United States Marine Corps four-star general who served as the 34th Commandant of the Marine Corps. Among his previous postings were Director of Operations (J-3) on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Commanding General of 1st Marine Division and I Marine Expeditionary Force, taking part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the First Battle of Fallujah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louis H. Wilson Jr.</span> United States Marine Corps general

Louis Hugh Wilson Jr. was United States Marine Corps four-star general and a World War II recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Guam. He served as the 26th commandant of the Marine Corps from 1975 until his retirement from the Marine Corps in 1979, after 38 years of service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard F. Natonski</span> United States Marine Corps general

Richard F. Natonski is a retired United States Marine Corps lieutenant general whose last assignment was as the Commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command. He assumed the post in August 2008, having previously served as the United States Marine Corps Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations from 2006. He retired at Marine Barracks 8th & I on 8 September 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Organization of the United States Marine Corps</span>

The United States Marine Corps is organized within the Department of the Navy, which is led by the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV). The most senior Marine commissioned officer is the Commandant of the Marine Corps, responsible for organizing, recruiting, training, and equipping the Marine Corps so that it is ready for operation under the command of the unified combatant commanders. The Marine Corps is organized into four principal subdivisions: Headquarters Marine Corps, the Operating Forces, the Supporting Establishment, and the Marine Forces Reserve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cornell A. Wilson Jr.</span> United States Marine Corps general

Cornell A. Wilson Jr. is a retired United States Marine Corps major general, who served as Director, Reserve Affairs Division, Manpower & Reserve Affairs, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, in Quantico, Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George R. Christmas</span> United States Marine Corps general

George Ronald Christmas is a retired United States Marine Corps lieutenant general. Christmas was awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for valor in 1968, during the Vietnam War. He served on active duty in the Marine Corps for 34 years, retiring in 1996. After retirement, he served as the President and CEO of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation for 15 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles M. Gurganus</span> United States Marine Corps general

Charles Mark Gurganus is a retired U.S. Marine major general who commanded Regional Command Southwest and I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in Afghanistan and was relieved because he and General Gregg A. Sturdevant oversaw "the worst loss of U.S. airpower in a single incident since the Vietnam War" during the September 2012 raid on Camp Bastion. The Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James F. Amos, requested that General Sturdevant and General Gurganus retire in the aftermath of the incident and its investigation, commenting that it was the "...hardest decision I have had to make as commandant of the Marine Corps," and that he had served with both men in combat, calling them "...extraordinary Marine officers." Prior to that, Gurganus was commander of the I Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David H. Berger</span> United States Marine Corps general

David Hilberry Berger is a retired United States Marine Corps general who served as the 38th commandant of the Marine Corps from 2019 to 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Neller</span> US Marine Corps general and 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps

Robert Blake Neller is a retired United States Marine Corps four-star general who served as the 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps. He assumed his assignment on September 24, 2015 and retired on July 11, 2019. He was succeeded by David H. Berger.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frederick L. Wieseman</span> U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General

Frederick Leonard Wieseman was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of lieutenant general. He was a veteran of the Pacific War and later served as commandant of the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico in 1963–1966.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Smith (general)</span> 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps

Eric M. Smith is a United States Marine Corps general who has served as the 39th commandant of the Marine Corps since 22 September 2023. He served as acting commandant of the Marine Corps between 10 July 2023 and 22 September 2023 while awaiting Senate confirmation. Before nomination to the position he served as the 36th assistant commandant of the Marine Corps and before that as the deputy commandant for Combat Development and Integration, being succeeded by Karsten Heckl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ormond R. Simpson</span> U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General

Ormond Ralph Simpson was a highly decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps with the rank of lieutenant general, who held a number of important assignments throughout his career. He is most noted as commanding general of 1st Marine Division during Vietnam War and later as director of personnel and deputy chief of staff for manpower at Headquarters Marine Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph Osterman</span>

Joseph L. Osterman is a retired U.S. Marine lieutenant general who served as the commander of the I Marine Expeditionary Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Beaudreault</span> United States Marine Corps general

Brian D. Beaudreault is a retired United States Marine Corps lieutenant general who most recently served as commander of II Marine Expeditionary Force. He previously served as the Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations and Commanding General, 2nd Marine Division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George W. Smith Jr.</span> United States Marine Corps general

George William Smith Jr. is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Marine Corps who last served as commander of the I Marine Expeditionary Force from September 2021 to August 2023. He most recently served as the Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations until August 2021. He previously served as Senior Military Assistant to the United States Secretary of Defense, a position for which he was nominated by James Mattis in September 2018. He was commissioned in 1985 after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, through a Naval ROTC program. He is the son of George W. Smith, who was a major general in the Marine Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carl E. Mundy III</span> United States Marine Corps general

Carl Epting Mundy III is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Marine Corps, who last served as commander of the United States Marine Forces Central Command. He previously served as commander of the United States Marine Forces Special Operations Command. He is the son of Carl Epting Mundy Jr., who was a Marine Corps general and Commandant of the Marine Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen M. Neary</span> United States Marine Corps general

Stephen M. Neary is a retired U.S. Marine major general who previously served as commanding general, United States Marine Forces Europe and Africa.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Major General Robert F. Castellvi, Inspector General of the Marine Corps". Headquarters Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 2022-05-19. Retrieved 2021-05-18.
  2. ↑ "NORTH CAROLINA MILITARY AFFAIRS FULL COMMISSION MEETING" (PDF). U.S. Government. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  3. 1 2 Mallory Shellbourne (3 May 2021). "UPDATED: Marine Corps Suspends General Over Deadly AAV Accident, Navy Launches Own Investigation". USNI News. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  4. ↑ "PN715 — Marine Corps, 98th Congress (1983-1984)". U.S. Congress. 29 February 1984. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  5. ↑ "General Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. March 22, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  6. ↑ Mike McHugh (August 7, 2017). "Brig.Gen. Julian D. Alford to lead MCIEAST". JD news. Archived from the original on August 8, 2017. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  7. ↑ "FY20 U.S. MARINE CORPS OFFICER PROMOTION SELECTION BOARDS". U.S. Marine Corps. April 5, 2018. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  8. ↑ Preston McDonald (June 12, 2015). "2nd MEB bids farewell to Simcock, welcomes Castellvi". Dvidshub. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Marine Corps Biography: Brigadier General". Semper fi parents. 29 October 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  10. ↑ Gina Harkins (8 May 2019). "Marine Recon Commanding Officer Relieved, 4th Leader Ousted in 2 Weeks". Military.com. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  11. ↑ Lamothe, Dan (2021-05-04). "Marine Corps suspends general cited in fatal amphibious-vehicle disaster at sea". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  12. ↑ Fuentes, Gidget (2021-06-09). "Marine Corps IG Removed, 'Counseled' for Failures as 1st MARDIV CO Following Fatal AAV Sinking Investigation". USNI News.
  13. ↑ "Marine Corps commandant forces out general cited in fatal AAV accident". The Washington Post. 2021-06-09.
  14. ↑ "Major General Robert F. Castellvi". United States Marine Corps. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Major General Robert F. Castellvi". Marine Corps. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Marine Corps Brigadier General Biographies". Semperfiparents. October 29, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
Military offices
Preceded by Commanding General of Marine Corps Installations East
2013–2015		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commanding General of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade
2015–2018		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commanding General of the 1st Marine Division
2018–2020		Succeeded by
Preceded by Inspector General of the Marine Corps
2020–2021		Succeeded by
Preceded by Assistant Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies and Operations of the United States Marine Corps
2021–2022		Succeeded by
???
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.