Roger B. Turner Jr. is an American lieutenant general who has served as the commander of United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, since 2026. He previously served as the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force from 2024 to 2026, and as acting Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations from 2023 to 2024.
Turner is a native of Laurel, Maryland. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1984, and attended the University of Maryland before being commissioned as an officer in 1989, also attending The Basic School. Turner was deployed for the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the war in Afghanistan. He obtained master's degrees from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the Naval War College. His notable commands have included the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, from 2005 to 2007; the 5th Marine Regiment from 2011 to 2013; the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command from 2018 to 2020; and the 1st Marine Division from 2020 to 2022. His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star with valor.
Early life and education Roger B. Turner Jr. is a native of Laurel, Maryland. Turner enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in June 1984 and went to basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. He later attended the University of Maryland while serving in the Reserve. Turner was commissioned as an officer in May 1989 and was then sent to attend The Basic School and the Infantry Officer Course. His education also includes a Master of Military Art and Science degree from the Marine Corps Command and Staff College and a Master of National Security and Strategic Studies degree from the Naval War College. He is also a graduate of the Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School and the United Kingdom's Higher Command and Staff Course.
Marine Corps career Turner served in the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, from 1990 to 1993 as a platoon and company commander. During that time he was deployed for the Gulf War (Operation Desert Shield/Storm) and Operation Sea Angel in Bangladesh. After that, he served as a tactics instructor at The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, from 1993 to 1994, and then had the same role at the Infantry Officer Course from 1994 to 1996. After attending the Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School, he served as a company commander in the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, where he deployed with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Western Pacific from 1997 to 1998. He served as weapons officer of the 5th Marine Regiment from 1998 to 2000, and then attended the Marine Corps Command and Staff College from 2000 to 2001.
Following his completion of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in 2001, Turner commanded the Marine Corps Recruit Station, Sacramento, California. He was the current operations officer of the 1st Marine Division from 2004 to 2005, when it was deployed for the Iraq War, and then commanded the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines from April 2005 to December 2007. While Turner was in command, the battalion had two deployments to Ramadi, Iraq, which took place during 2005, 2006 and 2007. Turner then attended the Naval War College before serving as an operations officer, Joint Operations Division Central Command, Operations Directorate, Joint Staff, in washington, D.C., from March 2009 to March 2011.
Turner took command of the 5th Marine Regiment in April 2011 and led Regimental Combat Team 5 on a deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, during the war in Afghanistan, from 2011 to 2012. He relinquished command of the regiment in June 2013. He then became Military Secretary to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, serving until 2014. Turner was the director, Capabilities Development Directorate, Combat Development and Integration, from 2015 to 2017, then served as the commanding general of the Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command and the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center from June 2018 to September 2020. Later that month, Turner took command of the 1st Marine Division.
He relinquished command of the 1st Marine Division in July 2022. Turner then served as director, Operations Division, Plans, Policies, and Operations at Headquarters Marine Corps. In April 2023, Turner was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general and assignment as the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force. He served as acting Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations of the Marine Corps, before assuming command of III Marine Expeditionary Force on January 26, 2024. Turner relinquished command on July 15, 2026, and assumed command of United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, on August 11, 2026.
Awards and decorations Turner's decorations and medals include:
Defense Superior Service Medal with "C" deviceLegion of Merit with gold award starBronze Star Medal with Combat "V" and gold award starDefense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal with gold award starNavy and Marine Corps Commendation MedalNavy and Marine Corps Achievement MedalCombat Action Ribbon with gold award starJoint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf clusterNavy Unit Commendation with three bronze service starsNavy Meritorious Unit Commendation National Defense Service Medal with service starSouthwest Asia Service Medal with three bronze service starsAfghanistan Campaign Medal with two bronze service starsIraq Campaign Medal with three bronze service starsGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary MedalGlobal War on Terrorism Service MedalHumanitarian Service MedalSea Service Deployment Ribbon with seven service starsMarine Corps Recruiting RibbonNATO Medal for Yugoslavia with bronze service starKuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia)Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)Rifle Expert BadgePistol Expert BadgeOffice of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
Personal life He is married to Carole, and they have two sons.
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