Major General Christopher Cortez is currently assigned as Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command.
Major General Cortez was commissioned via the Platoon Leaders Program in 1971. A graduate of Marietta College in Ohio, his undergraduate program included one semester at the University of Madrid in Spain.
His operational tours include: Rifle Platoon Commander, (1972-73); Rifle Company Executive Officer and Infantry Battalion Adjutant, (1973-74); Rifle Company Commander, Weapons Company Commander, and Infantry Battalion Operations Officer, (1978-81); Headquarters Battalion Executive Officer, 1st Marine Division (1988-89); Battalion Commander, 1st Bn, 5th Marines (1989-91); Operations Officer, 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade (1992-93); and Commanding Officer, Infantry Regiment (1993-95). While Commanding Officer of 1st Bn, 5th Marines, his unit deployed with 7th Marine Expeditionary Brigade to Saudi Arabia, serving sequentially with 7th Marines and 3rd Marines during Operation Desert Shield and then with Task Force Ripper (7th Marines) during Operation Desert Storm. At Camp Pendleton, California, he served as Chief of Staff for I Marine Expeditionary Force (1996-97), then Assistant Division Commander, 1st Marine Division (1997-98).
Operational tours continued: In February, March and April 1998, he deployed to Southwest Asia with Third U.S. Army Headquarters serving as Chief of Staff, Combined Coalition Joint Task Force, Kuwait. Most recently, he served as Director for Operations, U.S. Pacific Command (2000-2002).
Other tours have included Recruiting Officer/Officer Selection Officer duty at USMC Recruiting Station, Los Angeles (1974-77). He was assigned to Landing Force Training Command, Pacific, for duty as Instructor, U.S. Army School of the Americas (USARSA) (1981-84). USARSA was located in the Republic of Panama. At Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, he served as Action Officer for Central/South America in the Western Regional Branch of Plans Division (1985-88) and as the Director, Strategy and Plans Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps (1998-00). During the first of two assignments to U.S. Pacific Command, he was Executive Assistant and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Deputy Commander/Chief of Staff (1995-96).
He has attended The Basic School (1971-72), Amphibious Warfare School (1977-78), Marine Corps Command and Staff College (1984-85) and the Inter-American Defense College in Washington, D.C. (1991-92).
His personal decorations include: the Defense Superior Service Medal, with oak cluster in lieu of second award; Legion of Merit with Combat V, two Gold Stars in lieu of second and third awards; Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal; and Combat Action Ribbon.
(Updated May 14, 2003 HQMC)
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