I MEF Leaders

Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force

Lt. Gen. Karsten "Hazel" Heckl

Lieutenant General Karsten "Hazel" Heckl assumed command of I Marine Expeditionary Force on 31 July 2020.A native of Stone Mountain Georgia, Lieutenant General Heckl graduated from Georgia State University and was commissioned in April 1988.  He was designated an unrestricted Naval Aviator in...

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Deputy Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force

Brig. Gen. Ryan S. “Chick” Rideout

Brigadier General Rideout assumed duties as Deputy Commanding General, I Marine Expeditionary Force in July 2021. His previous assignment was serving as Director, Military Advisor Group, Combined Joint Task Force - Operation INHERENT RESOLVE based in Baghdad, Iraq from June of 2020 to June...

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Chief of Staff, I Marine Expeditionary Force

Colonel Brian Rideout

Colonel Rideout holds a baccalaureate degree in Psychology from Ohio Wesleyan University, a Master of Science in Information Technology Management from the Naval Postgraduate School, a Master of Military Studies from Marine Corps University and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic...

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Sergeant Major, I Marine Expeditionary Force

Sgt. Maj. Terrence C. Whitcomb

Sergeant Major Whitcomb began Marine Corps Recruit Training on 14 September 1993 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California with Company C, 1st Recruit Training Battalion.  He was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class and graduated Recruit Training on 10 December 1993. Following...

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Command Master Chief

CMDCM(FMF/SW/AW/IW) Toby A. Ruiz

 Though a native of Montebello, California, Master Chief Ruiz calls Monte Vista, Colorado home.  He enlisted in the Navy in March 1991, reported to basic training at RTC Great Lakes, Illinois and completed Signalman “A” School at NTC Orlando, Florida.  After serving two tours as a collateral-duty...

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