Top enlisted Marine on West Coast fired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Terrence C. Whitcomb, at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., April 23, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Quince Bisard).
The senior enlisted leader of Camp Pendleton-based I Marine Expeditionary Force was relieved of his duties Tuesday by I MEF commanding general Lt. Gen. George Smith, the Marines said in a statement.
Sgt. Maj. Terrence Whitcomb, a 28-year Marine Corps veteran, was relieved “due to loss of trust and confidence in his abilities to fulfill his assigned duties,” the statement said. He assumed the role of sergeant major for I MEF in May, according to his Marine Corps biography, after serving in the same role at the 1st Marine Division — also on Camp Pendleton. The sergeant major is an advisor to the commanding general of the Marine Expeditionary Force.
“Loss of trust and confidence” can signify a wide range of causes for relief. I MEF did not provide any additional details on what contributed to the decision to fire Whitcomb.
I MEF is the West Coast air-ground task force for the Marine Corps. The sprawling organization includes the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar-based 3rd Marine Air Wing as well as the Camp Pendleton-based 1st Marine Division and 3rd Marine Logistics Group. More than 50,000 Marines and sailors fall under the command of I MEF — about a quarter of the Marine Corps.
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